akin
In Appalachian and Southern speech, "akin" means like, similar to, or of the same kind. It can also mean related, but folks often use it more broadly for likeness.
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Hillbilly Dude Says...
I use 'akin' sometimes, but I'd say it's mainly old timers. Pronunciation
[uh-KIN]
Meaning & Usage
- Similar to or like (adjective)
Mae:
How’s it taste?
How’s it taste?
Earl:
It’s akin to what Mama used to fix.
It’s akin to what Mama used to fix.- Related to (adjective, less common sense)
Mae:
Y’all kin?
Y’all kin?
Earl:
Somewhat - we’re akin through Granny’s side.
Somewhat - we’re akin through Granny’s side.other spellings: similar to, like, related to, this feels akin to last winter, that pie’s akin to Granny’s recipe, and akin to a brother
★ "Akin" is often used in rural speech to mean "like" or "similar to," not just blood kin. It sounds a little old-fashioned outside the South, but it’s still natural in Appalachian talk. ★
Origin
From Middle English, meaning "related by blood." In American rural dialect, especially Southern and Appalachian, it broadened to mean "similar" or "of the same kind."
Notes
Still alive in Southern/Appalachian speech, especially among older speakers. Outside the region, people may view it as formal or literary rather than everyday talk.
Say It Like a Southerner
Said plain: "uh-kin." Smooth and quick in country talk.