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  1. That’s perfect and I love the idea! I come from northern Maine, so I speak French and know what the word meant.. but it is soooo good to know it’s a southern tradition!

    1. Hi Lori! It is quite a unique word…I hope you enjoy the giving as much as sharing the word with your friends! Thanks for stopping by!

  2. It’s actually spelled Cerci, and the definition is: A small gift never asked for. A Southern term used predominately in Columbia, SC. Did research on it before I went to my 50th High School reunion, because I made Cercies for all my classmates and their spouses.

    1. Surcee is a word, used in the South, that is believed to have its origins in the Scotch and Irish who settled in the region. The Scottish word for “surprise” is pronounced much like “surcee” and could be a phonetic form passed down from generation to generation. Another possible origin for the word is from the Irish term “sussie” which means to care.

      1. What great information, Corryn! Thank you for sharing this with our readers. I have very much enjoyed hearing from you and others about where this word could have originated. Wherever it came from, it’s certainly been a blessing! Thank you so much for stopping by and for your comments!

    2. Hi Patti! Thank you for your comments and for the bit of knowledge you have shared with us! What a treat your classmates and their spouses had when they received your sweet gifts!

  3. A friend just posted your adorable sursy article to Facebook and, of course, I immediately clicked on it because being a southern girl also, I had not heard this word until moving to Columbia 14 years ago. I thought WOW this is such a cute blog- I MUST click the “about me” to find out who this adorable blogger is. Imagine my surprise when I realized I had already met your adorable self a few weeks ago. What a small world! And thanks for clearing up this sursy mystery! I feel like I have gained my southern street cred back 😉

    1. Hi Kelly! WHAT a small world!!! Thanks so much for your sweet comments! I really appreciate your extremely kind words and yes, you have your street cred back! 😀

  4. I have lived in SC all of my 42 years & I have never heard that word!! Great description & I will be giving them in the near future! Learn something new every day! !!

    1. Hi Lynn, I’m so glad that you were able to learn something new AND fun! I hope you will enjoy as much as I do, giving little sursies to those you love and enjoy. Thanks so much for your comments and for stopping by!

  5. Columbia College had a “surcie shop” where you could go purchase a little surprise for someone!! It’s definitely a C2 thing!! 🙂 every deserves surcies!!

    1. Hi Ally, what a wonderful thing that Columbia College had (has?)! I definitely believe that college students (and teachers!) need sursies (surcies) OFTEN!! Little reminders of encouragement and love.
      Thanks for your comments and for sharing this with us!

    2. Agree.. I worked in that shop for Kaye Beard.
      We received “surcees” during and at the end of “rat week” when our upperclassman “mentor” was revealed.

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