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Chill Bumps

In Southern and Appalachian speech, chill bumps are what many outside the region call "goose bumps" or "goose pimples" - the little raised spots on your skin when you’re cold, scared, or moved by something.

#SouthernWords   #Appalachia   #Southern   #BodyandHealth

synonyms: goose bumps, goose pimples, raised skin
Hillbilly Dude Says...
I only heard them called 'chill bumps' - I'm just now findin' out it's country. 
Hillbilly Dude Says...
I only heard them called 'chill bumps' - I'm just now findin' out it's country. 

Pronunciation

[CHILL-bumps] /ˈtʃɪl bʌmps/

Meaning & Usage

- Raised skin from cold or emotion (noun)

Martha:
Did y’all hear that noise? I got chill bumps.
Clara:
Me too - sounds like Papaw’s old hound.
variations: chill bumps, goose bumps, goose pimples
★ Saying you "got chill bumps" isn’t just about being cold - Southerners use it for goose bumps from music, a touching moment, or a spine-tingling story. ★

Origin and Etymology

A regional synonym for "goose bumps," rooted in rural and Southern English. "Chill" describes the sensation, while "bumps" names the raised spots on the skin. Documented widely across the South and Appalachia since at least the early 20th century.

Usage Notes

  • Chill bumps - standard Southern/Appalachian form ("That song gives me chill bumps every time.")
  • Goose bumps / goose pimples - more common outside the South.
  • Used to describe strong emotional reactions as much as cold: "That story gave me chill bumps."
  • Still widely understood across the U.S., but most strongly tied to Southern and Appalachian speech.

Kin Topics

Related Pages

Common Questions

Are "chill bumps" the same as "goose bumps"?
Yes - it’s the Southern/Appalachian way of saying it.
Can "chill bumps" be caused by emotions?
Absolutely. Southerners use it for cold weather, a scary story, a song, or anything that gives them a shiver.
Is "chill bumps" considered informal?
Yes, it’s colloquial and friendly, perfect for everyday speech but rarely used in formal writing.

How to Cite This Page

  • APA (7th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 24). Chill Bumps. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/chill-bumps
  • MLA (9th edition)
    "The Hillbilly Dude." "Chill Bumps." HillbillySlang.com, 24 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/chill-bumps.
  • Chicago (17th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. "Chill Bumps." HillbillySlang.com. September 24, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/chill-bumps.
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