catch (ketch)
In Southern and Appalachian speech, "catch" (often pronounced "ketch") means to grab, rope, corner, or secure something-especially livestock. It’s also used broadly for "get hold of" or "pick up."
synonyms: grab, rope, secure, round up
Hillbilly Dude Says...
Unfortunately, we're always talkin' about 'ketchin'' a cow or hog. Pronunciation
[KETCH] /kɛtʃ/ (dialectal) · [CATCH] /kætʃ/ (standard)
Meaning & Usage
- To rope, grab, or secure livestock (verb)
Mae:
Where’s Earl?
Where’s Earl?
Earl:
Out tryin’ to catch that stray heifer.
Out tryin’ to catch that stray heifer.- To get hold of or pick up (verb)
Mae:
How’d you get to town?
How’d you get to town?
Earl:
Just caught a ride with Billy.
Just caught a ride with Billy.variations: ketch
★ Southern/Appalachian speech kept the older English pronunciation "ketch" long after it faded elsewhere. You’ll hear "ketch a cow," "ketch a ride," or "ketch hold of it" in rural talk. ★
Origin
From Old English "cæccan" (to catch). Documented in the Dictionary of American Regional English as especially common in the South and South Midland. The "ketch" pronunciation mirrors older English forms and survives in rural speech.
Notes
Still heard today in farm and family talk. "Catch" and "ketch" are interchangeable in meaning; the dialect form "ketch" signals Southern/Appalachian speech but is understood everywhere.
Say It Like a Southerner
Say it natural: "catch" becomes "ketch" in relaxed speech: "gonna ketch that calf," "ketch a ride."