hen apple

In Appalachian and Southern speech, a "hen apple" is a humorous nickname for a chicken egg. It reflects the region’s playful tradition of renaming everyday things.

#SouthernWords #Appalachia #Animals #OldTimers #Southern #FarmTalk

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I think 'hen apples' is a good one, but it's mostly old timers these days.

Pronunciation

[HIN-app-ul] /hɪn ˈæpəl/

Meaning & Usage

- A chicken egg (noun)

Mae:

How many eggs we got?

Earl:

Half a dozen hen apples this mornin’.

variations: egg, chicken egg, farm egg, bird apple (rare)

★ "Hens lay eggs like apple trees bear fruit"-hence the folksy nickname "hen apples." Appalachian and Southern speech abounds with playful animal+food nicknames like this. ★

Origin

Recorded in the Dictionary of American Regional English and Appalachian dialect dictionaries as a regional name for a chicken egg. Reflects the area’s tradition of humorous renamings in everyday farm life.

Notes

Still heard today among older speakers and in nostalgic writing about farm life. Outside the region it’s rarely recognized but easily understood from context.

Say It Like a Southerner

Say it natural: often "hin-appul" or "hin-apple" in Appalachian speech-lighter on the "e," a touch of nasalization.

Kin Topics

Kin Words, Stories and More

Common Questions

Does "hen apple" mean any egg?

Usually specifically a chicken egg; other poultry eggs get their own names.

Is it still used today?

Mostly by older speakers or as a joke with children, but still recognized in rural communities.

Is it unique to Appalachia?

Strongest in the South/Appalachia but documented in rural Midwestern speech too.