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. 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 and Etymology
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.
Usage 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.