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Hillbilly Dude Says...
'Dawdlin’' is one of those that I remember my Momma sayin' plenty when I was growin' up. 
Hillbilly Dude Says...
'Dawdlin’' is one of those that I remember my Momma sayin' plenty when I was growin' up. 

Pronunciation

[DAWD-lin] /ˈdɔdlɪn/

Meaning & Usage

- Wasting time or moving slowly (verb / participle)

Pearl:
We’re gonna be late.
Jeb:
Quit dawdlin’ and grab your hat.
variations: Lollygaggin’, Piddlin’, Foolin’ Around, Dragging Your Feet
★ "Dawdling" originated in 18th-century British English. Southerners kept the term alive with a dropped "g" - "dawdlin’" - alongside other colorful words like "piddlin’" and "lollygaggin’." ★

Origin and Etymology

From British English "dawdle" (to waste time), first recorded in the 1700s. Carried to the American South and Appalachia by settlers and persisted in rural speech.

Usage Notes

Still widely heard in rural Southern/Appalachian speech, often said as "dawdlin’." Outside the region "dawdling" is recognized but considered a bit old-fashioned.

Say It Like a Southerner

Say it natural: "dawdlin’" - dropping the "g" at the end. Often used in a playful or scolding tone: "Quit dawdlin’ and get in here."

Kin Topics

Related Pages

Common Questions

Is "dawdlin’" just dropping the "g" off "dawdling"?
Yes - it’s the authentic regional pronunciation.
Is it still used today?
Yes - especially among older speakers or in playful scolding contexts.
What’s a stronger Southern term for the same thing?
"Piddlin’" or "lollygaggin’" are even more distinctly Southern/Appalachian.

How to Cite This Page

  • APA (7th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, October 5). Dawdling. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/dawdling
  • MLA (9th edition)
    "The Hillbilly Dude." "Dawdling." HillbillySlang.com, 5 Oct. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/dawdling.
  • Chicago (17th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. "Dawdling." HillbillySlang.com. October 5, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/dawdling.
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