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?!
I was born and have lived in the south (Chattanooga, TN) my entire life of 53 years. I have never heard the term “sursy”, but I know exactly what they are, and I love them! I love getting them and giving them. So much joy!
Hi Anne, now you have a new word to use for all those sweet gifts you’re giving! 🙂 Thank you for your comments and for stopping by!
I am 50 and from WV. I live in Lexington now. I have used this word and given surseys (never knew for sure how to spell it) since I can remember. I love to introduce people to this pastime. Puts a smile on everyone’s face!
Hi Carolyn! I’ve seen several different spellings in the comments posted here – thanks everyone! However you spell it, I truly believe that the gift is in the giving…and seeing the look on people’s faces when you say the word! Thanks for your comments and for stopping by!
I was born in Georgetown, SC. I’ve lived here my entire life. I will be 50 in October! I’ve always been given suseys. I can remember even as a child a survey could be something as simple as Grandma taking me to get ice cream. My most treasured sursey was given to me by my mother after my grandmother died, it was her charm bracelet. The last survey I got was from my moma she gave me the diamond cross ring! She told me when I opened it that if I were ever in doubt or felt alone to just look down at my hand and I would know that I would never be alone. So yes Southerners do give and receive sursies and they are very special to us!
Hi Lindsay, happy early birthday (just four more months!!)!! What a wonderful comment to leave on this post. And what precious gifts you have received, indeed! I was especially close to my grandmother as well and was given a pair of her earrings and a bracelet that my grandfather had given her. What sweet memories I know you must have of your grandmother! Thank you so much for sharing with us!
I’ve never heard a gift called this before – interesting little word, I might have to try it out :-p
Hi Loretta, yes, try it out!! Your friends might look at you like you’re crazy at first, but just show them this little post and you’ll be a-ok! I hope you enjoy the giving as much as I do!
I learned the word at Tift College in Forsyth, GA. I still love to give and receive sursies.
At Tift it wasn’t unusual to find these little gifts in our mailboxes. (It was usually was something like a candy bar or a sweet note.)
Thanks for sharing this. The article sounds like it could have been written by a Tift girl! 🙂 )
Blessings!
Hi Carolyn! Thank you for your sweet comment – I’m originally from Macon, GA…so not too far from Forsyth! What a wonderful thing, that you would often find sursies in your mailboxes and that you’re still a sursy-giver! Spread the love, dear friend! Thanks so much for stopping by!