Apr 21, 2023 5:38 pm
Residents of Holler utilize a distinctive style of speech that displays many unique characteristics. Their colorful dialect plays havoc with the standard rules of grammar and pronunciation. The Holler accent is often looked down upon by educated outsiders and stereotyped as a sign of ignorance or stupidity. For good or ill, it irrevocably marks those who speak it with the stamp of the mountains. The following are some quick and dirty tips for affecting a tolerable (tol'able) Appalachian twang.
"a-" Prefix: Place an "a-" prefix in front of verbs ending in "-ing". For instance: "I'm a-fixin' to heal ye" or "That bear came a-runnin' out of them woods."
"-'n" Possessive: Use the "-'n" suffix to denote possession, such as "his'n," "her'n," and "your'n" instead of "his," "hers," and "yours".
Drop the "g": Many Appalachian speakers drop the "g" from verbs ending in "ing".
Double Modals: In grammar, a modal is a verb used to express intention, possibility, permission, or necessity. Words such as "can," "must," "might," "may," "will," "would," and "could" are all examples of modals. Doubling up on modals is frequent in Appalachian dialect. For instance: "I might could get over that mountain" or "You must will find the child before sundown."
Double Negatives: Double negatives are common and usually tinged with a touch of fatalism or regret. For example: "I ain't never got them apples I was hoping for" or "I won't bake no cake."
"Ain't" Contraction: Make liberal use of "ain't" in place of "am not," "are not," "is not," "has not," and "have not".
"Y'all" Contraction: Much like the rest of the Southern United States, the contraction of "you" and "all" is ubiquitous in Holler. "Y'all" is used when addressing or referencing two or more people.
"Done": The word "done" is used for past tense, to express an action just completed. For instance: "They done got themselves into a fix" or "He done went to the store."
"-er" Replacement: The "-er" sound often replaces the long "o" sound at the end of words. Consequently, "window" becomes "winder," and "hollow" becomes "holler".
Double Nouns: The people of Holler sometimes like to say their nouns in pairs, with the second noun usually being redundant. For example: "hound dog," "widow woman," "rifle gun," etc.
"Them" Replacement: In Appalachian English, "them" is sometimes used in place of "those". For instance: "Give me some of them biscuits," or "Them are the chickens I want."
"-'un" Suffix: "-un," meaning "one," is sometimes added to the end of pronouns or adjectives. For example, "young one" (a child) becomes "young'un," and "big one" becomes "big'un".
"ever" Reversal: The word element "ever" occasionally gets reversed. "Whatever" becomes "everwhat," "whoever" becomes "everwho," "however" becomes "everhow," etc. The word's usage remains the same: "Everwho did this is in big trouble."
"Right" Intensifier: The word "right" is often used in place of intensifiers such as "very" or "really." For instance: "This is a right cold morning" or "Y'all are bein' right loud."
Redundant Pronoun & Adverb Pairings: Demonstrative pronouns (this, that, these) are pronouns used to represent a thing or things that can be near or far. Likewise, spatial adverbs (here, there) are adverbs that indicate where an action happens relative to the speaker. In Appalachian English, these parts of speech are often redundantly paired together. For example: "We need to get this here dog back to his owner" or "By golly, that there man is a thief!"
Holler Vernacular
n. = noun
v. = verb
adj. = adjective
adv. = adverb
phr. = phrase
A Whack o' Jacks (n.): A plate of flapjacks. The expression "a whack o' jacks two tall men couldn't shake hands over" refers to a particularly tall stack of flapjacks.
Afeared (adj.): Afraid.
Aim (v.): To intend to do something ("I'm aimin' to set a trap fer the critter that keeps a-eatin' my chickens.")
Airish (adj.): Chilly. Used in reference to the outdoors. When some says it's "airish outside," they are saying that it's sweater weather or jacket weather.
Allow (v.): To suppose (e.g. "I allow that we'll need to fetch the granny woman fer help."
A-mite (adv.): A little (e.g. You are lookin' a-mite sickly today.")
Ball-Hoot (v.): To drive recklessly or hazardously.
Beginning to Turn (phr.): Used when someone is reaching the end of their life.
Big Boys, The (n.): The nickname for a group of foreign industrialists who have spent decades exploiting Holler's resources and workers. Each commands vast wealth and a small army of henchman. They are responsible for many of the current problems in Holler and serve as the setting's primary antagonists.
Bite yer Tongue (phr.): "Be quiet" or "Don't say it."
Blight, The (n.): A mysterious and possibly supernatural sickness affecting many residents of Holler. The Big Boys' industries and their resulting pollution are believed to be the cause. Severe exposure to the Blight can lead to mutation of human, animal, and plant life.
Blockade Liquor (n.): Moonshine.
Book-Red (adj.): Educated.
Bootlegging (n.): The illegal distribution of alcohol.
Bothen (n.): Both (e.g. "Bothen you get inside 'fore the storm hits.")
Branch (n.): A small stream.
Britches (n.): Trousers.
Chancy (adj.): Risky, dangerous.
Chile (n.): Child. The plural is "chill'uns."
Church Key (n.): A bottle opener.
City, The (n.): The closest urban center outside of Holler ("close" still means hundreds of miles/kilometers away). Few, if any, Holler residents have ever been there. It's supposedly a huge, bustling metropolis with freedoms and luxuries that Holler folks can barely imagine. In the minds of the people of Holler, the place seems so distant and alien that it might as well be on another world.
Critter (n.): A wild animal.
Cryptid (n.) An animal mutated by the Blight. Mutations range from mild and innocuous to bizarre and highly dangerous.
Cumfluttered (adj.): Confused or embarrassed.
Cut a Shine (phr.): To dance. Asking someone to "cut a shine" means asking them to dance with you.
Dip (v./n.): To use chewing tobacco (e.g. "Aside from likker, his only vice was dipping the local snuff."). "Dip" or "snuff" also refers to the chewing tobacco itself.
Dropped her calf (phr.): Gave birth.
Elst (adv.): Else.
Fetch (v.): To bring or to go get (e.g. "Fetch me some of that there moonshine.")
Fix (v.): To prepare or plan to do something (e.g. We're fixin' to burn down the mill tonight. Are ye comin'?")
Foxfire (n.): Something that glows in the dark, such as certain mushrooms or will-o'-the-wisps.
Fritter (n.): A fried patty made of cornmeal.
From Can See to Can't See (phr.): A Holler expression meaning "from dawn till dusk."
Furriner (n.) A foreigner; anyone not from Holler.
Gaum (n./v.): A mess. It can also be used as a verb; to "gaum up" means to mess up.
Good Folk, The (n.) A euphemism for the Fae. Residents of Holler believe that speaking aloud about faerie-kind tends to draw their attention. Thus, most folks use complimentary terms when referencing the Fae in order to avoid potentially slighting them. Other euphemisms include "the Kindly Ones," "the Others," and "the Good Neighbors."
Gouging (n.): A brutal form of bare-knuckle fighting in which participants purposely try to maim each other. Those who fight in gouging matches as known as "gougers."
Grannycraft (n.): The folk magic practiced by granny women; a combination of witchcraft, faith healing, and herbalism. Also called "hillfolk hoodoo."
Granny Woman: An elderly woman who serves as a midwife and, sometimes, a folk magician.
Gussy Up (v.): To make more attractive. Someone who is "gussied up" is dressed in a fancy or fashionable way.
Haint (n.): A ghost or spirit.
Hisself (n.): Himself.
Holler (n.): A hollow (i.e. a small valley). Holler, with a capital 'H', refers to the entire region as a whole.
Holy Roller (n.): A Protestant Christian churchgoer known for ecstatic displays of worship, including rolling on the ground (hence the name). Though detractors intend it as derogatory, the term is not considered an insult by the people of Holler.
Hootch (n.): Alcohol, especially if it's illegally made moonshine.
Hoppytoad (n.) A toad.
If'n: A contraction of the words "if" and "when."
Jag (n.): A small trinket.
Jasper (n.): An outsider or stranger. Synonymous with "furriner."
Ketch (v.): To catch something.
Kindly (adv.): Means "kind of" (e.g. "She kindly ain't feelin' none too good after all that likker.")
Kyarn (n.): Roadkill. Comes from the Holler pronunciation of the word "carrion."
'Lasses (n.): Molasses.
Lick (v.) To hit with a hammer or axe.
Likker (n.) Liquor.
Linthead (n.) Someone who works in a textile mill.
Long Sweetening (n.): Maple syrup.
Misery (n.): An indeterminate ache or pain.
Moonshine (n.): High-proof liquor, usually whiskey, and often made or distributed illegally. The name is derived from the practice of making the alcohol at nighttime under the light of the moon. Some moonshiners in Holler have the ability to impart their distillations with magical enchantment.
Mosey (v.) To walk or move in a leisurely manner (e.g. "We decided to mosey on up to the still for a drink.")
Nary (adj.): Means "not" (e.g. Her cookin' got nary a murmur or complaint.")
Nigh (adj.): Near.
No-Account (n.): A lazy person; someone too indolent or weak to do any hard work.
Old Scratch (n.): A euphemism for the Devil. Saying the Devil's name aloud in considered bad luck, so most folks use this nickname instead.
Painter (n.) A mountain lion. It comes from the Holler pronunciation of the word "panther." Early settlers used to refer to mountain lions as American panthers.
Passel (n.) A large group or large amount of something (e.g. "a passel of greens").
Pay It No Mind (phr.): Means "Don't think about it," or "Don't let it bother you."
Pick (v.): To play a stringed Bluegrass instrument, such as a guitar or banjo.
Pizen (n.): Poison.
Plain Spoken (adj.): Honest or genuine.
Plum/Plumb (adv.): Completely or entirely (e.g. "I was plumb tuckered out from a-climbin' that mountain.")
Poke (n.): A small bag or sack.
Put Out (adj.): Angry or upset (e.g. "Waylon was put out with the town's decision.")
Reach (v.): To hand or pass something (e.g. "Reach me the gun from that there shelf.")
Reckon (v.) To be of an opinion about something (e.g. "I reckon them hunters ain't never tracked a sasquatch."
Right (adv.): Used in place of intensifiers such as "very" or "really" (e.g. "I right much want to pay ol' Scooter a visit.")
Right Smart (adv.): Great in quality or quantity.
Short Sweetening (n.): Sugar or honey.
Simples (n.): Medicinal herbs.
Slauchwise (adj.): Sideways, crooked, or slanted. A similar term is "sigogglin."
Slick-Faced (adj.): Clean-shaven.
Smitten (adj.): Strongly attracted to someone.
Sody-Pop (n.): A soft drink.
Sop (n.): Gravy.
Sorry (n.): Something that isn't worth much of anything.
Spell (n.) A while (e.g. "After that hike, I think I'll rest a spell.")
Step-Ins (n.): Underpants.
Stomp Party (n.): A type of secretive celebration that happens in the woods. Typically involves copious amounts of music, moonshine, and dancing.
Story (n.): A lie. If someone says that they think you're "telling a story," it means they are accusing you of lying.
'Tater Hole (n.): A cold cellar under the cabin floor where food is stored.
Tol'able Like (phr.): Good enough, satisfactory (e.g. "My leg is feelin' tol'able like this mornin'.")
Tote (v.): To carry.
Tucker (v.): To exhaust or wear out. The phrase "tuckered out" is a common way of expressing exhaustion.
Varmint (n.): An animal, but can also be used to describe a person who is obnoxious or bothersome.
Varnish Head (n.) Someone addicted to sniffing chemical fumes, especially those of turpentine, gasoline, or paint thinner.
Whistle Pig (n.): A groundhog.
Wrastlin' (n./v.): Wrestling. Used as a noun or a verb.
Yander (adv.) Yonder; over there.
Ye/Yer (n.): You/Your.
"a-" Prefix: Place an "a-" prefix in front of verbs ending in "-ing". For instance: "I'm a-fixin' to heal ye" or "That bear came a-runnin' out of them woods."
"-'n" Possessive: Use the "-'n" suffix to denote possession, such as "his'n," "her'n," and "your'n" instead of "his," "hers," and "yours".
Drop the "g": Many Appalachian speakers drop the "g" from verbs ending in "ing".
Double Modals: In grammar, a modal is a verb used to express intention, possibility, permission, or necessity. Words such as "can," "must," "might," "may," "will," "would," and "could" are all examples of modals. Doubling up on modals is frequent in Appalachian dialect. For instance: "I might could get over that mountain" or "You must will find the child before sundown."
Double Negatives: Double negatives are common and usually tinged with a touch of fatalism or regret. For example: "I ain't never got them apples I was hoping for" or "I won't bake no cake."
"Ain't" Contraction: Make liberal use of "ain't" in place of "am not," "are not," "is not," "has not," and "have not".
"Y'all" Contraction: Much like the rest of the Southern United States, the contraction of "you" and "all" is ubiquitous in Holler. "Y'all" is used when addressing or referencing two or more people.
"Done": The word "done" is used for past tense, to express an action just completed. For instance: "They done got themselves into a fix" or "He done went to the store."
"-er" Replacement: The "-er" sound often replaces the long "o" sound at the end of words. Consequently, "window" becomes "winder," and "hollow" becomes "holler".
Double Nouns: The people of Holler sometimes like to say their nouns in pairs, with the second noun usually being redundant. For example: "hound dog," "widow woman," "rifle gun," etc.
"Them" Replacement: In Appalachian English, "them" is sometimes used in place of "those". For instance: "Give me some of them biscuits," or "Them are the chickens I want."
"-'un" Suffix: "-un," meaning "one," is sometimes added to the end of pronouns or adjectives. For example, "young one" (a child) becomes "young'un," and "big one" becomes "big'un".
"ever" Reversal: The word element "ever" occasionally gets reversed. "Whatever" becomes "everwhat," "whoever" becomes "everwho," "however" becomes "everhow," etc. The word's usage remains the same: "Everwho did this is in big trouble."
"Right" Intensifier: The word "right" is often used in place of intensifiers such as "very" or "really." For instance: "This is a right cold morning" or "Y'all are bein' right loud."
Redundant Pronoun & Adverb Pairings: Demonstrative pronouns (this, that, these) are pronouns used to represent a thing or things that can be near or far. Likewise, spatial adverbs (here, there) are adverbs that indicate where an action happens relative to the speaker. In Appalachian English, these parts of speech are often redundantly paired together. For example: "We need to get this here dog back to his owner" or "By golly, that there man is a thief!"
Holler Vernacular
n. = noun
v. = verb
adj. = adjective
adv. = adverb
phr. = phrase
A Whack o' Jacks (n.): A plate of flapjacks. The expression "a whack o' jacks two tall men couldn't shake hands over" refers to a particularly tall stack of flapjacks.
Afeared (adj.): Afraid.
Aim (v.): To intend to do something ("I'm aimin' to set a trap fer the critter that keeps a-eatin' my chickens.")
Airish (adj.): Chilly. Used in reference to the outdoors. When some says it's "airish outside," they are saying that it's sweater weather or jacket weather.
Allow (v.): To suppose (e.g. "I allow that we'll need to fetch the granny woman fer help."
A-mite (adv.): A little (e.g. You are lookin' a-mite sickly today.")
Ball-Hoot (v.): To drive recklessly or hazardously.
Beginning to Turn (phr.): Used when someone is reaching the end of their life.
Big Boys, The (n.): The nickname for a group of foreign industrialists who have spent decades exploiting Holler's resources and workers. Each commands vast wealth and a small army of henchman. They are responsible for many of the current problems in Holler and serve as the setting's primary antagonists.
Bite yer Tongue (phr.): "Be quiet" or "Don't say it."
Blight, The (n.): A mysterious and possibly supernatural sickness affecting many residents of Holler. The Big Boys' industries and their resulting pollution are believed to be the cause. Severe exposure to the Blight can lead to mutation of human, animal, and plant life.
Blockade Liquor (n.): Moonshine.
Book-Red (adj.): Educated.
Bootlegging (n.): The illegal distribution of alcohol.
Bothen (n.): Both (e.g. "Bothen you get inside 'fore the storm hits.")
Branch (n.): A small stream.
Britches (n.): Trousers.
Chancy (adj.): Risky, dangerous.
Chile (n.): Child. The plural is "chill'uns."
Church Key (n.): A bottle opener.
City, The (n.): The closest urban center outside of Holler ("close" still means hundreds of miles/kilometers away). Few, if any, Holler residents have ever been there. It's supposedly a huge, bustling metropolis with freedoms and luxuries that Holler folks can barely imagine. In the minds of the people of Holler, the place seems so distant and alien that it might as well be on another world.
Critter (n.): A wild animal.
Cryptid (n.) An animal mutated by the Blight. Mutations range from mild and innocuous to bizarre and highly dangerous.
Cumfluttered (adj.): Confused or embarrassed.
Cut a Shine (phr.): To dance. Asking someone to "cut a shine" means asking them to dance with you.
Dip (v./n.): To use chewing tobacco (e.g. "Aside from likker, his only vice was dipping the local snuff."). "Dip" or "snuff" also refers to the chewing tobacco itself.
Dropped her calf (phr.): Gave birth.
Elst (adv.): Else.
Fetch (v.): To bring or to go get (e.g. "Fetch me some of that there moonshine.")
Fix (v.): To prepare or plan to do something (e.g. We're fixin' to burn down the mill tonight. Are ye comin'?")
Foxfire (n.): Something that glows in the dark, such as certain mushrooms or will-o'-the-wisps.
Fritter (n.): A fried patty made of cornmeal.
From Can See to Can't See (phr.): A Holler expression meaning "from dawn till dusk."
Furriner (n.) A foreigner; anyone not from Holler.
Gaum (n./v.): A mess. It can also be used as a verb; to "gaum up" means to mess up.
Good Folk, The (n.) A euphemism for the Fae. Residents of Holler believe that speaking aloud about faerie-kind tends to draw their attention. Thus, most folks use complimentary terms when referencing the Fae in order to avoid potentially slighting them. Other euphemisms include "the Kindly Ones," "the Others," and "the Good Neighbors."
Gouging (n.): A brutal form of bare-knuckle fighting in which participants purposely try to maim each other. Those who fight in gouging matches as known as "gougers."
Grannycraft (n.): The folk magic practiced by granny women; a combination of witchcraft, faith healing, and herbalism. Also called "hillfolk hoodoo."
Granny Woman: An elderly woman who serves as a midwife and, sometimes, a folk magician.
Gussy Up (v.): To make more attractive. Someone who is "gussied up" is dressed in a fancy or fashionable way.
Haint (n.): A ghost or spirit.
Hisself (n.): Himself.
Holler (n.): A hollow (i.e. a small valley). Holler, with a capital 'H', refers to the entire region as a whole.
Holy Roller (n.): A Protestant Christian churchgoer known for ecstatic displays of worship, including rolling on the ground (hence the name). Though detractors intend it as derogatory, the term is not considered an insult by the people of Holler.
Hootch (n.): Alcohol, especially if it's illegally made moonshine.
Hoppytoad (n.) A toad.
If'n: A contraction of the words "if" and "when."
Jag (n.): A small trinket.
Jasper (n.): An outsider or stranger. Synonymous with "furriner."
Ketch (v.): To catch something.
Kindly (adv.): Means "kind of" (e.g. "She kindly ain't feelin' none too good after all that likker.")
Kyarn (n.): Roadkill. Comes from the Holler pronunciation of the word "carrion."
'Lasses (n.): Molasses.
Lick (v.) To hit with a hammer or axe.
Likker (n.) Liquor.
Linthead (n.) Someone who works in a textile mill.
Long Sweetening (n.): Maple syrup.
Misery (n.): An indeterminate ache or pain.
Moonshine (n.): High-proof liquor, usually whiskey, and often made or distributed illegally. The name is derived from the practice of making the alcohol at nighttime under the light of the moon. Some moonshiners in Holler have the ability to impart their distillations with magical enchantment.
Mosey (v.) To walk or move in a leisurely manner (e.g. "We decided to mosey on up to the still for a drink.")
Nary (adj.): Means "not" (e.g. Her cookin' got nary a murmur or complaint.")
Nigh (adj.): Near.
No-Account (n.): A lazy person; someone too indolent or weak to do any hard work.
Old Scratch (n.): A euphemism for the Devil. Saying the Devil's name aloud in considered bad luck, so most folks use this nickname instead.
Painter (n.) A mountain lion. It comes from the Holler pronunciation of the word "panther." Early settlers used to refer to mountain lions as American panthers.
Passel (n.) A large group or large amount of something (e.g. "a passel of greens").
Pay It No Mind (phr.): Means "Don't think about it," or "Don't let it bother you."
Pick (v.): To play a stringed Bluegrass instrument, such as a guitar or banjo.
Pizen (n.): Poison.
Plain Spoken (adj.): Honest or genuine.
Plum/Plumb (adv.): Completely or entirely (e.g. "I was plumb tuckered out from a-climbin' that mountain.")
Poke (n.): A small bag or sack.
Put Out (adj.): Angry or upset (e.g. "Waylon was put out with the town's decision.")
Reach (v.): To hand or pass something (e.g. "Reach me the gun from that there shelf.")
Reckon (v.) To be of an opinion about something (e.g. "I reckon them hunters ain't never tracked a sasquatch."
Right (adv.): Used in place of intensifiers such as "very" or "really" (e.g. "I right much want to pay ol' Scooter a visit.")
Right Smart (adv.): Great in quality or quantity.
Short Sweetening (n.): Sugar or honey.
Simples (n.): Medicinal herbs.
Slauchwise (adj.): Sideways, crooked, or slanted. A similar term is "sigogglin."
Slick-Faced (adj.): Clean-shaven.
Smitten (adj.): Strongly attracted to someone.
Sody-Pop (n.): A soft drink.
Sop (n.): Gravy.
Sorry (n.): Something that isn't worth much of anything.
Spell (n.) A while (e.g. "After that hike, I think I'll rest a spell.")
Step-Ins (n.): Underpants.
Stomp Party (n.): A type of secretive celebration that happens in the woods. Typically involves copious amounts of music, moonshine, and dancing.
Story (n.): A lie. If someone says that they think you're "telling a story," it means they are accusing you of lying.
'Tater Hole (n.): A cold cellar under the cabin floor where food is stored.
Tol'able Like (phr.): Good enough, satisfactory (e.g. "My leg is feelin' tol'able like this mornin'.")
Tote (v.): To carry.
Tucker (v.): To exhaust or wear out. The phrase "tuckered out" is a common way of expressing exhaustion.
Varmint (n.): An animal, but can also be used to describe a person who is obnoxious or bothersome.
Varnish Head (n.) Someone addicted to sniffing chemical fumes, especially those of turpentine, gasoline, or paint thinner.
Whistle Pig (n.): A groundhog.
Wrastlin' (n./v.): Wrestling. Used as a noun or a verb.
Yander (adv.) Yonder; over there.
Ye/Yer (n.): You/Your.
