Dadblame
Dadblame (or dadblamed) is a mild expletive used in Southern and Appalachian English. It functions as a softened form of something blasphemous, expressing irritation, surprise, or emphasis without profanity.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
You'll often heard 'dadblame' in place of dang or darn out in the country. Hillbilly Dude Says...
You'll often heard 'dadblame' in place of dang or darn out in the country. Pronunciation
[DAD-blaym]
/ˈdæd.bleɪm/
/ˈdæd.bleɪm/
Meaning & Usage
- Mild Expletive or Emphasis (adjective/interjection)
Mamaw:
Where’s that dadblame cat got off to now?
Where’s that dadblame cat got off to now?
Papaw:
Same place you left your glasses, I reckon.
Same place you left your glasses, I reckon.variations: dad blame, dadblamed, dad blamed
★ One of many polite "near-cuss" words Southerners use in place of swearin’ - right alongside dadgum, dadburn, and doggone. ★
Origin and Etymology
From 19th-century American minced oaths softening something blasphemous. Spread through the South and Appalachia in speech meant to stay decent but expressive.
Usage Notes
Still heard throughout the South and Appalachia. Used humorously or affectionately today, often to recall older speech or avoid actual profanity.
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How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, October 13). Dadblame. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/dadblame
- MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "Dadblame." HillbillySlang.com, 13 Oct. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/dadblame.
- Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "Dadblame." HillbillySlang.com. October 13, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/dadblame.
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Created by a true, actual, proper, real-life hillbilly, HillbillySlang is a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia but reaching across the world. Every slang word, saying, accent and story is gathered from first-hand experience and trusted sources. The goal: preserve authentic voices and share them with writers, learners, and culture lovers everywhere - with a little humor thrown in here and there. Read more...