Dice
 
 
 
 
 
Hillbilly Dude Says...
Most of the time I've heard 'askeered,' somebody's being a little silly. But you'll hear it down here. 
Hillbilly Dude Says...
Most of the time I've heard 'askeered,' somebody's being a little silly. But you'll hear it down here. 

Pronunciation

[uh-SKEERD] /əˈskɪrd/

Meaning & Usage

- Afraid or scared (adjective)

Mae:
You going down in that cellar?
Earl:
No ma’am - I’m askeered of spiders.
variations: Skeered, Scared, Afraid, Feared (archaic regional form)
★ "Askeered" and "skeered" are regional pronunciations of "scared" or "afraid." The initial "a" reflects older English patterns where "a-" marked adjectives and participles (like "a-hunting," "a-coming"). ★

Origin and Etymology

From older English dialect forms blending "a-" + "scared," common in Scots-Irish and rural British speech. This form persisted in Appalachia and the rural South as "askeered" or "skeered."

Usage Notes

Still heard in rural Southern/Appalachian speech. Outside the region it’s recognized as a folksy or humorous pronunciation but instantly understood as "scared."

Say It Like a Southerner

Play audio Say it natural: "askeered" - often runs together as "’skeered" or just "skeered," especially in rural speech.

Kin Topics

Related Pages

Common Questions

Is "askeered" wrong?
In standard English yes, but in dialect it’s authentic with deep historical roots.
Is "skeered" the same as "askeered"?
Yes - "skeered" is just a shorter form. Both mean "scared."
Is it still used today?
Yes - especially among older speakers or for humorous effect.

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    The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 22). Askeered. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/askeered
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