[atomic conspiracy]

Hmmmm
A while back, I called a tech supplier in Michigan about something or other. As I explained what I needed, the receptionist started snickering in my ear. I finally asked her what she thought was so funny. She said, "It's that wild southern accent of yours, I can't believe people really talk that way. It's cute though."
I pointed out that although I live in the southern United States, my accent is from YORKSHIRE, which is in ENGLAND, and not even the south of England, because that's where I am from originally.
What was that about dumb?

[MikalM]

My linguist friend told me that the generic Southern accent is an outgrowth of the Scots-Irish dialect. A lot of Northern English voices sound kinda Scottish, so maybe her ears and brain morphed your Yorkshire burr into a "Southern" accent.

And BTW, this Californian thinks Bill Maher is an ignorant, trash-talking, elitist bigot who isn't worthy to lick clean the shoes of our fine Southron cousins.

[Dan from Michigan]

Most Michiganders I think are smarter than that. I certainly hope so.