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Misewell Play audio

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "misewell" is a blended form of "might as well." It means exactly the same thing: that something is the best or most practical option.

#SouthernWords   #Appalachia   #BlendedWords   #Southern

Pronunciation

[MY-zuh-well] or [MIZ-well]

Meaning & Usage

- Best / Practical Option (phrase)

Resigned decision
Elmer:
Man I'm plumb wore out workin on this thang.

Estel:
Misewell wait ‘til mornin’.

Going along with it
Estel:
You reckon we orta get us a coke? It's hot as fire out here.

Elmer:
Misewell. A man's gotta take a break ever now and again.

variations: mizewell, mize'well, might as well, midas well
★ When you finally give up on somethin', there's a perfect response to the next idea somebody throws out: "misewell." ★

Origin

From the phrase "might as well," used in English since the 1500s. In fast Appalachian and Southern speech, the words blurred together and stuck as "misewell."

Notes

"Misewell" shows how Appalachian English smooths over sounds in everyday speech. It’s informal, folksy, and used in the same places you’d say "might as well" in standard English.

Say It Like a Southerner

Play audio Say "might as well" real fast, and the words collapse into "misewell." The "t" and "a" vanish, leaving a smooth "miz-well."

Kin Topics

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Common Questions

Is "misewell" a real word?
It’s not standard English, but it’s a real spoken form in Appalachian and Southern dialects.
Does it mean the same as "might as well"?
Exactly - it’s just a faster, folksier way to say it.
How do you spell it?
Usually written "misewell" or "mizewell" to show how it sounds in speech.
Do people still say it today?
Absolutely - especially in rural areas, but you’ll see it pop up in texting and online too.

How to Cite This Page

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  • Chicago (17th edition)

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