like (meaning lack)
In Appalachian and Southern speech, "like" can mean "lack" or "need." It’s an old dialect feature that turns an ordinary verb into a vivid way of saying something is missing.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
I still hear and say 'likes' in place of 'lacks'. I grew up hearin' it used that way, and still hear it in the country. Pronunciation
[LAHK] /lɑːjək/
Meaning & Usage
- To lack or be short of (verb)
Mae:
How’s the soup taste?
How’s the soup taste?
Earl:
It likes a pinch more pepper.
It likes a pinch more pepper.- To need or be shy of a certain amount (verb)
Mae:
Is he six feet?
Is he six feet?
Earl:
He likes two inches of bein’ six foot even.
He likes two inches of bein’ six foot even.variations: lack, need, short of, wants for
★ "Like" for "lack" is a living fossil of older British and Scots-Irish dialects. It survived in the mountains as part of everyday speech long after it faded elsewhere. ★
Origin
Documented in the Dictionary of American Regional English as chiefly Southern and Appalachian. This usage stems from older English dialects where "like" and "lack" overlapped in meaning, brought to the U.S. by Scots-Irish settlers.
Notes
Still heard today among older speakers or in rural areas. Younger speakers may recognize it but use "lack" or "need" instead. It adds instant mountain flavor to a story or quote.
Say It Like a Southerner
Say it plain: "likes" instead of "lacks." Often paired with a noun or measurement: "He likes two inches of being six feet tall."