Bedclothes

Roots

In Southern and Appalachian speech, "bedclothes" means the sheets, blankets, quilts, and other coverings on a bed.

#SouthernWords #Appalachia #OldTimers #Southern

synonyms: bedding, linens, sheets and blankets

Hillbilly Dude Says...

We always called 'em 'bedclothes' growing up - and I still do in my household. I'd say it's more an old timers thing nowadays.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

We always called 'em 'bedclothes' growing up - and I still do in my household. I'd say it's more an old timers thing nowadays.

Pronunciation

[BED-klohz]
/ˈbɛd.kloʊðz/

Meaning & Usage

- Bedding / bed coverings (noun)

Mae:

Straighten them bedclothes ‘fore you come down for breakfast.

Earl:

Yes ma’am, I will.

Ruby:

I washed all the bedclothes today - they’re out dryin’ on the line.

Estel:

Nothin’ smells better than sun-dried quilts.

variations: bed clothes, bedding, bed linens

★ If someone in the mountains says "bedclothes," they mean everything on the bed - not just sheets. Quilts, blankets, comforters, pillowcases, the whole stack. ★

Origin and Etymology

"Bedclothes" comes from older British English, where it referred to any cloth used on a bed. The term was once common throughout the United States, but while most regions shifted to "bedding," the South and Appalachia preserved the older form well into the present day.

Usage Notes

Today, "bedclothes" sounds old-fashioned outside the South. In Appalachian and rural Southern families, though, it remains a natural, everyday word for all the coverings on a bed.

More common among older speakers and in rural communities.
Used for sheets, blankets, quilts, and pillowcases collectively.
Often shows up in housekeeping talk or morning routines.

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Does "bedclothes" mean the same as "bedding"?

Yes - it refers to all the coverings on a bed.

Is "bedclothes" only Southern?

Historically it was nationwide, but today it’s strongest in Southern and Appalachian speech.

Do people still say "bedclothes"?

Yes - especially older generations or families with deep Appalachian or rural Southern roots.

Is "bed clothes" wrong?

Not wrong - it’s a common variant spelling, though "bedclothes" is the traditional form.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, November 17). Bedclothes. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/bedclothes
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Bedclothes." HillbillySlang.com, 17 Nov. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/bedclothes.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Bedclothes." HillbillySlang.com. November 17, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/bedclothes.

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