cuss word
In Appalachian and Southern speech, "cuss word" is the common way of saying "curse word" or "swear word." It’s the standard term for profane language in many rural and church settings.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
Those words you shouldn't be sayin' - we call them all 'cuss word.' Pronunciation
[KUSS wurd]
Meaning & Usage
- Any profane or obscene word (noun)
Mae:
He said a cuss word at school.
He said a cuss word at school.- General term for bad language (noun)
Mae:
Don’t be bringin’ those cuss words ’round here.
Don’t be bringin’ those cuss words ’round here.other spellings: curse word
★ The shift from "curse" to "cuss" is a hallmark of Southern/Appalachian speech. "Cuss word" feels warmer, more homegrown, and instantly evokes a porch, a mama, and a stern warning. ★
Origin
From "curse," softened and shortened in Scots-Irish and Southern English to "cuss." Documented in Appalachian and Southern speech for generations, especially in church and family settings.
Notes
Still the default term in much of the rural South and Appalachia. Outsiders usually say "curse word" or "swear word," but "cuss word" is strongly tied to regional identity.
Say It Like a Southerner
Said plain: "cuss word." Rhymes with "bus word."