Minner
In Appalachian and Southern speech, "minner" is the common pronunciation of "minnow" - a small bait fish often caught in creeks and used for fishing.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
You'll still hear 'minners' out in the country around here. I've heard it spoke like that all my life. Hillbilly Dude Says...
You'll still hear 'minners' out in the country around here. I've heard it spoke like that all my life. Pronunciation
[MIN-ner]
Meaning & Usage
- A small bait fish (regional pronunciation of "minnow") (noun)
Earl:
What you usin’ for bait?
What you usin’ for bait?
Mae:
Caught me a bucket of minners.
Caught me a bucket of minners.variations: minnow, bait fish, shiner, creek fish, fish bait, little fish
★ Even if someone knows the proper spelling "minnow," most folks in Appalachia and the South will still say "minner." It’s part of the natural speech rhythm. ★
Origin and Etymology
From Old English *myne* or *minne* (a small fish). The word became "minnow" in standard English. In rural Appalachian and Southern speech, vowel shifts turned it into "minner."
Usage Notes
Very common in Appalachia and the South, especially around fishing and creeks. Outside these regions, people almost always say "minnow," though they’ll understand "minner" in context.
Say It Like a Southerner
Said plain: "min-ner." The "ow" sound in "minnow" flattens to "er."