Foolishness
In Southern and Appalachian speech, "foolishness" means bad behavior, nonsense, or conduct that crosses a line. It can describe anything from silly antics to shady dealings or disrespectful acts.
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synonyms: nonsense, misbehavior, trickery, disrespect, antics
Hillbilly Dude Says...
I both hear and use 'foolishness' as a catch-all for uncool behavior. This one's common down here. Pronunciation
[FOO-lish-niss] /ˈfuː.lɪʃ.nəs/
Meaning & Usage
- Improper or unacceptable behavior (noun)
Hazel:
They charged her fifty more than what they quoted.
They charged her fifty more than what they quoted.
Earl:
She won’t put up with that foolishness.
She won’t put up with that foolishness.- Silly or trifling antics (noun)
Lou:
Them boys were cuttin’ up all evening.
Them boys were cuttin’ up all evening.
May:
Just full of foolishness.
Just full of foolishness.variations: carryin’ on, nonsense, antics
★ In the South, "foolishness" is a polite catch-all for behavior that’s not right-whether it’s children roughhousing, grown folks scheming, or neighbors showing disrespect. ★
Origin
The word itself is old English, but Southern and Appalachian speech gave it new life as a flexible rebuke. By the 19th century, it was common in regional talk to call out nonsense, shady dealings, or misbehavior without resorting to harsher words.
Notes
- Can refer to silliness, but often points to dishonest or disrespectful conduct.
- Common in scolding and dismissive talk: "Quit that foolishness," "I won’t put up with that foolishness."
- Still alive in everyday Southern/Appalachian speech.
- Serves as a polite but firm word for behavior outside the bounds of decency.