To cackle means to laugh loudly and sharply, like a chicken clucking. In Southern and Appalachian talk, it paints the sound of laughter that fills a room - bright, unrestrained, and contagious.
I'll say somebody is 'cacklin’' when they're laughin' really hard - way past just gettin' tickled.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
I'll say somebody is 'cacklin’' when they're laughin' really hard - way past just gettin' tickled.
Pronunciation
[KACK-ul] ~ [KACK-lin]
/ˈkæk.əl/
Meaning & Usage
- Laugh Sharply or Loudly (verb)
Used playfully
Mamaw:
You girls quit that cacklin’ and finish your chores.
Papaw:
Ain’t nothin’ wrong with a little joy in the house.
- Sound Like a Chicken (verb/noun)
Literal sense
Estel:
That red hen’s cacklin’ again - must’ve laid one.
Elmer:
She brags more than the preacher’s wife.
★ In the South, "cacklin’" can mean laughter or gossip - depends on who’s doin’ it and what’s got ’em goin’. ★
Origin and Etymology
From Middle English cakelen ("to cluck like a hen"), imitative of the sound itself. Early settlers carried it into Southern speech, where it became a staple of both barnyard and porch talk.
Usage Notes
Common across the South and Appalachia. Used affectionately, not insultingly, to describe lively talk or laughter - especially among women.
To laugh loudly or noisily, often in a teasing or happy way.
Is it always about chickens?
Nope - it started that way but now just means big, cheerful laughter.
Do people still use it?
All the time - it’s part of the natural rhythm of country speech.
How to Cite This Page
APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, October 11). Cackle. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/cackle
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Cackle." HillbillySlang.com, 11 Oct. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/cackle.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Cackle." HillbillySlang.com. October 11, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/cackle.
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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...
I'll say somebody is 'cacklin’' when they're laughin' really hard - way past just gettin' tickled. 
