dab
In Appalachian and Southern speech, a "dab" means a small amount of something - usually food, medicine, or something spread on. It’s a plain country way of saying "just a little bit."
Hillbilly Dude Says...
Oh I probably say 'a dab of butter' pretty much every meal. Pronunciation
[DAB]
Meaning & Usage
- A small amount (noun)
Mae:
How much lard you usin’?
How much lard you usin’?
Earl:
Oh, just a dab to grease the skillet.
Oh, just a dab to grease the skillet.- A little application (noun, figurative)
Mae:
What’d you put on that cut?
What’d you put on that cut?
Earl:
A dab of salve - it’ll heal fine.
A dab of salve - it’ll heal fine.★ A "dab" isn’t exact, but in Southern kitchens everyone knows what it means: not much, just enough. ★
Origin
From the English word "dab," meaning a quick touch or small patch. In Southern and Appalachian speech, it took on the sense of a small, handy measure in cooking and remedies.
Notes
Still common in the South and Appalachia, especially among older speakers. Outside the region, people may use "dab" occasionally, but it sounds old-timey or folksy.
Say It Like a Southerner
Said plain: "dab." Short and clipped, same as the dictionary word, but used in a folksy, measured way.