From the Hollers by Stephanie Woodie

Your Free Appalachian Words Sampler

Thank you for joining me up here in the hollers. Here are twelve mountain words from The Holler Handbook: A Dictionary of Appalachian Language. To keep a copy, print this page (Ctrl+P on a computer, or Share then Print on a phone).

A-fixin’ (uh-FIX-in), verb

Getting ready to do something. “I’m a-fixin’ to head up the mountain before the sun drops.”

Airish (AIR-ish), adjective

Chilly, breezy, or cool. “Leave your coat on, it’s a bit airish out on the porch today.”

Allow (uh-LOW), verb

To state an opinion, suppose, or admit. “The preacher allowed as how it might rain before the service was over.”

Antigodlin (an-tee-GOD-lin), adjective

At an angle; crooked or out of alignment. “You hung that picture frame all antigodlin; it’s leaning way to the left.”

Back-step (BACK-step), verb

To retreat from a promise or an opinion. “He tried to back-step once he realized how much work that roping was going to be.”

Beholden (bee-HOLE-den), adjective

Indebted to someone, or feeling a sense of duty and gratitude. “I’m beholden to Polly for teaching me how to string those beans right.”

Britches (BRITCH-ez), noun

Pants or trousers. “Papal had to patch his britches after climbing through that laurel slick.”

Cipher (SY-fer), verb

To do math or figure something out. “I watched Papal cipher on a scrap of wood to see how many bushels we’d picked.”

Counterpane (COUN-ter-pane), noun

A bedspread or quilt. “Polly kept a heavy counterpane on the pallet to keep the young’uns warm.”

Dab-nabbit (DAB-nab-it), interjection

A mild expression of frustration or annoyance. “Dab-nabbit, I missed the nail and hit my thumb with the hammer!”

Directly (die-RECK-lee), adverb

In a little while; soon. “I’ll be there directly, just let me finish my coffee.”

Fannie-wampus (fan-nee-WHOMP-us), adjective

Out of alignment; crooked. “That roping table is sitting all fannie-wampus on the uneven floor.”

There are over a hundred more in the full book. See all my books and printables in the shop. Tell me a saying your family used by replying to my welcome email. I read every one.