In Southern and Appalachian speech, blame functions as a mild oath or intensifier used to add emphasis without profanity. It appears in expressions such as "the blame thing," "ever blame one of ’em," or "I’ll be blamed," and is part of a long regional tradition of softened exclamations.
We didn't use 'blame' growin' up in our house, but it was common down here. And you'll still hear it plenty out in the country.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
We didn't use 'blame' growin' up in our house, but it was common down here. And you'll still hear it plenty out in the country.
Pronunciation
[BLAYM]
/bleɪm/
Meaning & Usage
- A mild oath replacing stronger language (intensifier)
Avoiding harsher words
Gladys:
Ever blame one of ’em forgot their lunch today.
Holt:
Well, I guess that’s better’n sayin’ what you really wanted to.
- Used to emphasize irritation or exasperation (adjective-like modifier)
Reacting to frustration
Midge:
This blame phone won’t hold a charge.
Tucker:
Hit it on the counter a time or two. That’s what I do.
variations: blamed, blame-it, blame thing
★ When you hear an elder say "the blame thing," it nearly always means they’re irritated - but also carefully avoiding cussin’. Southern minced oaths let you vent without stepping over the line. ★
Origin and Etymology
The use of blame as a mild oath dates to the nineteenth century and is well documented in Southern and South Midland dialects, including Appalachia and the Ozarks. Speakers used it as a softened substitute for profanity, forming expressions like "blame it," "the blamed thing," and "I’ll be blamed." This family of mild oaths parallels other regional euphemisms such as "dadgum," "tarnation," and "doggone." While similar terms once appeared more broadly in American frontier speech, this specific usage is now most strongly preserved in Southern regions.
Usage Notes
Modern use of blame as an intensifier is increasingly rare outside the South and Appalachia. Within the region, it remains familiar in rural communities and among older speakers, typically in storytelling or light exasperation. It is never vulgar and is generally considered a softened, polite alternative to harsher language.
Commonly appears in forms like "the blame thing," "ever blame one," and "I’ll be blamed."
Heard most often among rural Southern and Appalachian speakers.
Functions similarly to "darn," "dadgum," or "dang," but with a distinctly old-fashioned tone.
Rare among younger generations outside the region.
No. It’s a mild, polite stand-in for stronger language.
Does it mean someone is being blamed?
Not in this usage. Here it’s an intensifier, not the verb "to blame."
Is it still used today?
Yes, especially among older Southerners and Appalachians.
How to Cite This Page
APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, December 2). Blame. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/blame
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Blame." HillbillySlang.com, 2 Dec. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/blame.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Blame." HillbillySlang.com. December 2, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/blame.
Most Popular
Latest Accents
Latest Sayings
Latest Slang
Latest Southernish
About
Created by a true, actual, proper, real-life hillbilly, HillbillySlang is a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia but reaching across the world. Every slang word, saying, accent and story is gathered from first-hand experience and trusted sources. The goal: preserve authentic voices and share them with writers, learners, and culture lovers everywhere - with a little humor thrown in here and there. Read more...
We didn't use 'blame' growin' up in our house, but it was common down here. And you'll still hear it plenty out in the country. 
