In Southern and Appalachian speech, courting refers to a formal or intentional period of romantic visiting, usually with the expectation of marriage. It’s an older term tied to traditional family and community norms.
Out in the country, you'll still hear folks say 'courtin',' but it's less common nowadays.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
Out in the country, you'll still hear folks say 'courtin',' but it's less common nowadays.
Pronunciation
[KORT-in]
/ˈkɔːrt.ɪn/
Meaning & Usage
- A structured romantic relationship with marriage in view (verb/noun)
Front porch traditions
Mae:
You reckon they’re serious?
Earl:
If he’s over there every Sunday, they’re courting sure enough.
- The act of visiting a sweetheart under family supervision (noun)
Old-time customs
Hazel:
Daddy let ’em sit on the porch, but the lamp stayed between ’em. That was courting.
variations: courtin’, court’n (dialect spellings)
★ If someone in the mountains said a couple was courting, it didn’t mean casual dating - it meant they were headed toward marriage, with families watching how things unfolded. ★
Origin and Etymology
From older English "to court," meaning to woo or seek affection. The term persisted in rural Southern and Appalachian communities well into the 20th century, where traditional visiting customs (front-porch sitting, Sunday-evening calls, and parent-supervised visits) kept the word alive long after it declined in mainstream American English.
Usage Notes
Still recognized in the South and Appalachia, especially among older speakers or in nostalgic contexts. Conveys a seriousness and formality absent from modern "dating." Often appears in family stories, oral histories, and older literature about the region.
Implies supervision or family awareness.
Usually signals a relationship aimed at marriage, not casual romance.
Dialect spellings like courtin’ appear widely in regional writing.
Not exactly - courting implies seriousness, tradition, and often marriage in view.
Do people still say it?
Mostly older Southerners and Appalachians, or used intentionally for an old-time feel.
Is it a dialect word?
The word is older English, but its survival and cultural meaning are strongly tied to Southern/Appalachian communities.
What’s the difference between "courting" and "sparking"?
"Sparking" is even older and more playful; "courting" leans formal and intentional.
How to Cite This Page
APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, December 6). Courting. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/courting
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Courting." HillbillySlang.com, 6 Dec. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/courting.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Courting." HillbillySlang.com. December 6, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/courting.
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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...
Out in the country, you'll still hear folks say 'courtin',' but it's less common nowadays. 
