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Hillbilly Dude Says...
The word 'hankerin’ is still in wide use down here. I always think of that old commercial from Saturday mornin' cartoons: 'hanker for a hunk of cheese,' voiced by the H.R. Pufnstuf guy. 
Hillbilly Dude Says...
The word 'hankerin’ is still in wide use down here. I always think of that old commercial from Saturday mornin' cartoons: 'hanker for a hunk of cheese,' voiced by the H.R. Pufnstuf guy. 

Pronunciation

[HANG-ker-in]

Meaning & Usage

- A strong craving or desire (noun)

Mae:
Why’d you bake two pies?
Earl:
Had me a hankerin’ that wouldn’t quit.

- An urge to do something (noun, figurative)

Mae:
What you up to?
Earl:
Got a hankerin’ to pick a little on the banjo.
variations: cravin’, longin’, yearnin’, itchin’ for, got a hankerin’ for pie, hankerin’ to go fishin’
★ A "hankerin’" is usually lighthearted - it doesn’t mean desperate need, just a strong, persistent want. ★

Origin and Etymology

Dates back to the early 1600s in English as "hanker," meaning to linger or have a lingering desire. Settled deeply into Southern and Appalachian speech, where "hankerin’" became a staple word.

Usage Notes

Still common across the South and Appalachia. Outsiders may use it playfully, but it feels most authentic in a country or folksy voice.

Say It Like a Southerner

Said plain: "hang-ker-in." The "g" is dropped: "hankerin’."

Kin Topics

Related Pages

Common Questions

Does "hankerin’" only apply to food?
No - it can be for anything: food, activities, even company.
Is it only Southern?
Strongest in Southern and Appalachian speech, but widely recognized across the U.S.
Do people still use it today?
Yes - it remains a colorful, down-home way to say "craving."

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    The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, October 5). Hankering. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/hankering
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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...
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