heathern
In Appalachian and Southern speech, "heathern" is a colorful variant of "heathen." It’s often used to scold rowdy kids or call someone uncivilized or wild.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
'Heatherns' has been around long as I remember. I still use it myself, but it's less common in town. Pronunciation
[HEE-thurn]
Meaning & Usage
- Rowdy or uncivilized person (noun)
Mae:
Sit still, you little heathern!
Sit still, you little heathern!
Teacher:
Don’t let me have to call your mama.
Don’t let me have to call your mama.- Playful insult (noun)
Mae:
You heatherns done ate all the biscuits before I sat down.
You heatherns done ate all the biscuits before I sat down.other spellings: heathen, heathern, heatherns, wild child, uncivilized, and rowdy
★ "Heathern" usually isn’t meant literally. It’s a mountain way of fussing at kids, friends, or kinfolk for acting wild or unrefined. ★
Origin
From "heathen," an old English word for a non-believer or uncivilized person. In Appalachian speech, the ending shifted, creating "heathern," which took on a playful, scolding use.
Notes
Common in older Appalachian and Southern generations. Still heard today, especially in church settings or from parents and grandparents fussing at kids.
Say It Like a Southerner
Said quick, with the final syllable softened: "hee-thurn." The extra "r" sound rolls in naturally in mountain speech.