Dixie

¹ American  

[dik-see] / ˈdɪk si /

noun

1. Also called Dixie Land.  Also called Dixieland.  the southern states of the United States, especially those that were formerly part of the Confederacy.

2. (italics) any of several songs with this name, especially the minstrel song (1859) by D. D. Emmett, popular as a Confederate war song.

3. a female given name.

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adjective

1. of, from, or characteristic of the southern states of the United States.

idioms

1. whistle Dixie, to indulge in unrealistically optimistic fantasies.

dixie ² American  

[dik-see] / ˈdɪk si /

noun

Indian English.

1. a large iron pot, especially a 12-gallon camp kettle used by the British Army.

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Dixie ¹ British  

/ ˈdɪksɪ /

noun

1. Also called: Dixieland.  the southern states of the US; the states that joined the Confederacy during the Civil War

2. a song adopted as a marching tune by the Confederate states during the American Civil War

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of the southern states of the US

dixie ² British  

/ ˈdɪksɪ /

noun

1. military a large metal pot for cooking, brewing tea, etc

2. a mess tin

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dixie ³ British  

/ ˈdɪksɪ /

noun

1. dialect a lookout

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“Dixie” Cultural  

1. An American song of the nineteenth century. It was used to build enthusiasm for the South during the Civil War and still is treated this way in the southern states. It was written for use in the theater by a northerner, Daniel Decatur Emmett. As usually sung today, “Dixie” begins:

   I wish I was in the land of cotton;

   Old times there are not forgotten:

   Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.

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Usage

Why is Dixie trending? On June 25, 2020, searches for Dixie increased 2,048% compared to the previous week after the popular country music band the Dixie Chicks announced it was changing its name to just the Chicks.

Etymology

Origin of Dixie¹

1855–60, often said to be (Mason-)Dix(on line) + -ie

Origin of dixie¹

1895–1900; < Hindi dēgcī, diminutive of dēgcā pot

Example Sentences

After building their own human pyramid, the plebes will attempt to replace a sailor’s “dixie cup” hat with an upperclassman’s hat.

From Washington Times

On Thursday, Grammy-winning country group, The Dixie Chicks announced it would drop “dixie” from its name.

From Seattle Times

He lifted the lid from the dixie again and sniffed.

From Literature

I’m an afro American and no I don’t wish I was in dixie..

From Los Angeles Times

The 1981 case broke the Klan in the heart of dixie.

From The Wall Street Journal