Mosey
In Southern and Appalachian speech, "mosey" means to walk or move in a slow, easy, or meandering way - often with no particular rush.
synonyms: amble, meander, saunter, drift along
Hillbilly Dude Says...
We use 'mosey' out in the country down here, it's common. Hillbilly Dude Says...
We use 'mosey' out in the country down here, it's common. Pronunciation
[MOH-zee]
/ˈmoʊ.zi/
/ˈmoʊ.zi/
Meaning & Usage
- To move slowly or casually (verb)
Lula:
We’d better mosey on over to church.
We’d better mosey on over to church.
Hank:
Don’t hurry me - I’m moseyin’.
Don’t hurry me - I’m moseyin’.variations: mozy
★ If someone tells you to "mosey on out of here," it’s a polite way of saying "time to go," but without fuss. ★
Origin and Etymology
The word mosey appears in American English by the early 1800s, likely from playful slang. While also common in the Old West, it became a familiar part of Southern and Appalachian storytelling, carrying a sense of slow movement and lack of hurry.
Usage Notes
- Common in both Southern/Appalachian and Western rural dialects.
- Often used with "on" → "mosey on down" or "mosey on over."
- Still widely understood today, though it has an old-timey flavor.
Kin Topics
Related Pages
How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 30). Mosey. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/mosey
- MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "Mosey." HillbillySlang.com, 30 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/mosey.
- Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "Mosey." HillbillySlang.com. September 30, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/mosey.
advertisement...
Most Popular
About
Created by The Hillbilly Dude, this site is a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia but reaching across the world. Every slang word, saying, accent and story is gathered from first-hand experience and trusted sources. The goal: preserve authentic voices and share them with writers, learners, and culture lovers everywhere - with a little humor thrown in here and there. Read more...