dip-down walk a swagger-like gait, lifting the heels high and rocking for a split second on the balls of the feet before taking the next step; the walk was created by young black males in order to appear sexy and attractive to young women.
direc'lin directly, or right away.
dolesome sorrowful; filled with grief.
dropsy refers to the modern-day medical term "edema," which is the accumulation of water in the body's tissues or in the body cavity, giving the body a sagging look.
During the war Here, the reference is to World War II (1941–1945).
earthen slop jar a large-mouthed, enameled container used indoors at night as a toilet.
folded leaves The reference is to the leaves that Helene has to use instead of toilet paper.
foxtails a stole made of several fox tails linked together.
