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.
I both hear and use 'foolishness' as a catch-all for uncool behavior. This one's common down here.
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)
Reacting to a shady bill
Hazel:
They charged her fifty more than what they quoted.
Earl:
She won’t put up with that foolishness.
- Silly or trifling antics (noun)
Talking about kids
Lou:
Them boys were cuttin’ up all evening.
May:
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 and Etymology
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.
Usage 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.
Created by The Hillbilly Dude, this site 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...
I both hear and use 'foolishness' as a catch-all for uncool behavior. This one's common down here. 
