Haint

In Southern and Appalachian speech, a "haint" is a ghost, spirit, or restless soul. The word shows up in old-time stories, superstitions, and even house paint traditions meant to ward them off.

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synonyms: ghost, spirit, spook, apparition

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I always think of the lyric 'ain't no haint gonna run me off,' but that's not a belief I hold.

Pronunciation

[HAYNT] /heɪnt/

Meaning & Usage

- Ghost or restless spirit (noun)

Clara:

Don’t be out past midnight - them haints roam after dark.

variations: ha’nt

Origin

From an older pronunciation of "haunt," meaning a spirit that lingers. The form "haint" is especially tied to Southern and Appalachian dialects, surviving in folklore and superstition.

Notes

Haint is most common in ghost stories and folk beliefs across the South and Appalachia.
In the Lowcountry, porches were painted "haint blue" to keep spirits away - a tradition with African and Caribbean roots that blended into Southern folklore.
Do not confuse this with haint as a rural pronunciation of ain’t; that is a different usage entirely.

Kin Topics

Kin Words, Stories and More

Common Questions

What is a "haint"?

A ghost or spirit, especially in Southern and Appalachian folklore.

Where does the word come from?

It traces back to "haunt," meaning a ghost that lingers, and shifted in dialect speech to "haint."

What’s "haint blue"?

A shade of light blue paint used on porch ceilings in the South to keep away evil spirits and protect the home from haints.