Course

In Southern and Appalachian speech, "course" is the shortened form of "of course." It’s used in quick, casual talk to agree or emphasize without the extra word.

#SouthernWords #Appalachia #Southern

Hillbilly Dude Says...

It's super common to hear a sentence begin with 'course' instead of 'of course,' especially out in the country.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

It's super common to hear a sentence begin with 'course' instead of 'of course,' especially out in the country.

Pronunciation

[KOHRS] or [COHRS]
/kɔːrs/

Meaning & Usage

- Surely; naturally; of course (adverb)

Mae:

You comin’ to supper?

Earl:

Course I am.

Origin and Etymology

A reduced form of "of course," found widely in Southern and Appalachian English and carried westward by migration. The clipped rhythm matches other regional contractions such as "’bout" and "’cause."

Usage Notes

Common in informal speech, rarely written except in dialogue.

Signals a relaxed or conversational tone.
Less common in Northern or urban dialects.
Used for friendly emphasis: "Course I did," "Course he won’t."

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Is "course" slang?

Not exactly - it’s a natural spoken shortening, not a new word.

Is it Southern?

Yes, strongly identified with Southern and Appalachian rhythm and speech patterns.

Can it start a sentence?

Very often; that’s the most natural use: "Course I did."

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, October 15). Course. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/course
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Course." HillbillySlang.com, 15 Oct. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/course.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Course." HillbillySlang.com. October 15, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/course.

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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...