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.' 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.variations: 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 and Etymology
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.
Usage 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."
Kin Topics
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How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 11). Cuss Word. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/cuss-word
- MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "Cuss Word." HillbillySlang.com, 11 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/cuss-word.
- Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "Cuss Word." HillbillySlang.com. September 11, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/cuss-word.
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