Echoes of Appalachia

The Appalachian dialect is a fascinating and colorful form of speech that has been shaped by centuries of tradition, isolation, and cultural blending. This unique way of speaking reflects the history, resourcefulness, and humor of the people who call the mountains home. Below is a collection of common Appalachian slang words and phrases, along with their meanings.

Common Appalachian Words and Phrases

Holler – A valley or ravine, or to yell or shout. Example: “He lives down in the holler.”

Fixin’ / Afixing – Getting ready or planning to do something. Example: “I’m fixin’ to go to town.”

Poke – A bag or sack. Example: “Grandma sent me to the store with a poke full of eggs.”

Reckon – To suppose or think. Example: “I reckon it’ll rain soon.”

Fit as a fiddle – In good health or condition. Example: “Don’t worry about me, I’m fit as a fiddle.”

Fit to be tied – Very upset or angry. Example: “Daddy was fit to be tied when he saw the mess in the kitchen.”

Kyarn – Carrion; dead flesh, such as roadkill. Example: “Smells like kyarn out here.”

Flar – Flour. Example: “Mama’s bakin’ biscuits with some fresh flar.”

Foddershock – Cut corn stalks tied into tall bunches in the fall. Example: “We set up the foddershocks in the field yesterday.”

Gom-Mess – A term used for something messy or cluttered. Example: “This kitchen is a gom-mess!”

Reach me that – Hand me that. Example: “Reach me that salt, would ya?”

Toboggan – A knit cap. Example: “Better put your toboggan on; it’s cold outside.”

Other Interesting Appalachian Terms

Haint – A ghost or ill-meaning spirit. Example: “Better keep the windows shut, or the haints will come in.”

Booger – Mucus, dirt, or other debris that has dried and clumped together. Example: “That kid’s got a booger hangin’ from his nose.”

Booger Hollow – A notorious, dark, scary, remote place in the woods. Example: “You don’t wanna get caught in Booger Hollow after dark.”

Sallet – Salad, as in a poke-sallet, which refers to pokeweed rather than store-bought greens. Example: “Mama cooked up a mess of poke sallet for supper.”

Quare – Strange or peculiar. Example: “That feller’s actin’ quare today.”

Plum – Completely. Example: “I’m plum tired out.”

Fistes – Fists. Example: “He balled up his fistes, ready to fight.”

Fiddlesticks – An exclamation of frustration or disbelief. Example: “Oh, fiddlesticks! I burned the cornbread.”

Fillin’ station – Gas station. Example: “We need to stop by the fillin’ station before headin’ home.”

Fetch – To bring. Example: “Go fetch me a bucket of water.”

Fling – To throw, or to have a romantic relationship. Example: “He had a fling with that girl from over yonder.”

Flustrated – A mix of flustered and frustrated. Example: “Mama gets flustrated when we track mud in the house.”

Foiled – Stopped or prevented. Example: “The rain foiled our plans for a picnic.”

Foller – Follow. Example: “Foller me down this path.”

Foller yer own lights – Do what you know is right. Example: “No matter what folks say, you best foller yer own lights.”

The Enduring Charm of Appalachian Speech

Appalachian dialect is about heritage, storytelling, life that values plain speech and deep-rooted traditions. While some of these phrases may fade with time, they continue to live on in the conversations of mountain folks, in old family stories, and in the rhythm of daily life. Next time you hear someone say they’re “fixin’ to” do something or reckon the weather’s gonna turn, you’ll know you’re hearing the echoes of generations past.

-Tim Carmichael