Clost
In Appalachian and Southern speech, "clost" is the regional way of saying "close," meaning near or nearby. It follows the same speech pattern as "acrosst," "oncet," and "twicet," where an extra "-t" sound slips in at the end.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
Similar to acrosst - I could say 'clost,' or the fancy way without that 't' on the end. Hillbilly Dude Says...
Similar to acrosst - I could say 'clost,' or the fancy way without that 't' on the end. Pronunciation
[KLOHST]
Meaning & Usage
- Near or nearby (adjective/adverb)
Mae:
Where’s your brother live now?
Where’s your brother live now?
Earl:
He’s just clost to the highway.
He’s just clost to the highway.- Close in distance or relationship (adjective)
Mae:
We’re real clost - see each other ever’ day.
We’re real clost - see each other ever’ day.variations: close, near, nearby, not far, right there, real near, close by
★ "Clost" almost always refers to *nearness.* For shutting something (like "close the door"), folks usually keep the standard form "close." ★
Origin and Etymology
From Old English *clōs* (near, confined). In Appalachian and Southern speech, the final "s" sound often picked up a "-t," creating "clost," just like "acrosst" from "across."
Usage Notes
Common in Appalachia and parts of the South. Rare outside these regions, where "clost" is considered nonstandard or dialectal.
Say It Like a Southerner
Said plain: "klohst." Ends with a soft "-st" sound.