Hillbilly Slang

Authentic sayings, folk stories, and mountain wisdom.

set out

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "set out" can mean to begin (a journey or task), to leave something sitting out, or to display items like dishes or food. It’s an old, flexible phrase that still feels natural in daily talk.

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Hillbilly Dude Says...
I definitely use 'set out' often. And not just for traveling - 'Don’t eat that, it set out all night.' 

Pronunciation

[set-OWT]

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Meaning & Usage

- Begin a Journey (verb)

Earl:
What time’d you leave?
Estel:
I set out ‘bout sunup.

- Begin a Task or Goal (verb)

Mae:
I set out to bake a cake"
Ruby:
"but you ended up with a pie.

- Left Sitting Out (verb phrase)

Ruby:
Don’t eat that.
Earl:
Why not?
Ruby:
It set out all night.

- Display or arrange (verb)

Mae:
I set out the good dishes for Sunday dinner.
Earl:
Looks real nice.
other spellings: set out, set-out, started (related), left out, put out, and displayed
★ "Set out" carries a sense of intent when it means to begin - but in the kitchen it can mean food left too long or dishes neatly displayed. Context tells the story. ★

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