The Sursy
The first time I heard the word, “sursy”, I had recently moved to South Carolina and someone brought me a candle and called it a sursy.
A what?
A sursy.
What’s a sursy?
I recently had this conversation with a new co-worker, who moved here from Denver, Colorado just a few months ago.
She’d never heard of the word either.
So of course, like a good southern lady, I told her what a sursy is.
First, I googled it, so she wouldn’t think I totally made up this somewhat-of-a-silly-sounding word.
The urban dictionary {as opposed to the SUBurban…} states that a sursy is: a term commonly used in the South to denote a small, unexpected gift…for no special occasion, particularly to show affection or thanks.
Now, I am from the South. I am southern, born and bred. But I’m telling y’all, I’d never heard this word, ever before until South Carolina came into my life.
Of course now, I love to use the word. The word itself just sounds friendly. For those of you who don’t know, it’s pronounced like “sir see”. I enjoy finding little sursies to gift to friends or coworkers.
When Andrew and I were in our pre-marital counseling we discovered that neither of us was {is?!} a good gift giver…as in giving sursies…unexpected gifts. Sure, we’re great at the birthday, anniversary, the um, important dates. But not really the unexpected.
And as I write this I’m thinking that I probably need to find a sursy for him…because he’s not gotten a sursy in a while. hmm.
Anyhew, back to everyone else! ha!
The key to the sursy is that it’s unexpected. And inexpensive. For me it’s the something that says to the recipient, “hey, I saw this today, thought of you and wanted you to have it.”
It can be a small candle {like I received}, a pretty little trinket holder, a neat/unique pack of notes. I even gave someone some witty post-it notes once because this particular coworker had post its lining the shelf above his head.
I don’t give sursies often…that’s what makes them unexpected! And I wait for things to speak to me. Kind of like the Pier One commercials where the birds or the gnomes start talking to the lady shopping.
Ok, I know I sound crazy now. But take today for example. I saw a pretty little dish with a fabulous little saying on it and thought, “that’s perfect for…!”
I didn’t hesitate. I grabbed it, put something I had for me in my hand, back on the shelf and made my little purchase. And yes, I’ll take the gift wrapping because I want that tiny little rosette!!
Y’all. It’s way more fun to give!!! Who’s going to get your next sursy?!
CIRCE | sər sē | an unexpected gift | In The South, a Circe has always been known as ‘an unexpected gift — a special surprise.’
Hi Susan, thank you for this great piece of knowledge! I appreciate you sharing this with us!
I am a big proponent of sursies and give them often.. They don’t even have to cost money. this, to me, is the best therapy for yourself. It makes you happy, and others happy.. That said, someone once told me that it made them uncomfortable, that they felt they needed to sursie back.. That isn’t how it works and I was sad for that person that that was how she perceived it. Sursies don’t require reciprocal sursies. But you will have the happy desire to give to someone else. Give and be thankful and enjoy every day! pay it forward
Hi Becky! I absolutely agree with you in that it does not need to be reciprocated! I’m sorry this recipient felt that way…but I know a lot of people that don’t! 🙂 Sursies are sweet gifts from the heart, and you’re right, they don’t have to cost a penny. Home-made are the best! Thank you for your sweet comments and for stopping by!
Oh I love sursies!! your explanation is perfect. and yes, I am in SC!
Hi Joan, thank you so much for your comment!
I first heard about Surcies at Columbia College.
Hi Pami, there seem to be several of you from CC – what a small world! I hear that there was (is?) a surcie shop on campus – which I think is fantastic! Thanks for stopping by!
Have used the word, surcie (that is how I always spell it), for years. First heard the word when at college in Raleigh, NC. And yes, I live in Columbia, South Carolina now. Most people look at me in a funny way when I use the word, surcie, to describe a small giftie. I think the word is quite beautiful.
Hi Meredith, I agree in that the word itself is quite lovely! It’s perfectly unique…and usually I get the head cocked to one side, confused look when I use it! Thanks for your comment and for stopping by!