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Airish Play audio

In Appalachian speech, "airish" means cool, breezy, or slightly chilly - often used to describe the weather.

#SouthernWords   #Appalachia   #WeatherandSeasons   #Southern

Pronunciation

[AIR-ish]

Meaning & Usage

- Cool or breezy (adjective)

Talking about the weather
Elmer:
Might want to grab a jacket - it’s a little airish out this mornin’.

Estel:
Reckon you’re right, the wind’s got a bite to it.

variations: cool, chilly, breezy, brisk
★ "Airish" isn’t just cold - it’s the kind of cool that sneaks up on you, especially with a breeze. ★

Origin

Likely a regional variation of "airy," with the -ish ending making it descriptive. It appears in Southern and Appalachian dialect records going back to the 1800s.

Notes

Common in Appalachia and parts of the South, especially in rural communities. Usually used in casual conversation.

Kin Topics

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Common Questions

Does "airish" mean the same as "cold"?
Not quite - it’s more "cool and breezy" than truly cold.
Is it only about the weather?
Mostly, though you might hear it to describe a drafty place indoors.
Where is it most common?
Appalachia, rural Southern areas, and among older generations.

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