Mosey

In Southern and Appalachian speech, "mosey" means to walk or move in a slow, easy, or meandering way - often with no particular rush.

#SouthernWords #Appalachia #TravelandLocation #Southern

synonyms: amble, meander, saunter, drift along

Hillbilly Dude Says...

We use 'mosey' out in the country down here, it's common.

Pronunciation

[MOH-zee] /ˈmoʊ.zi/

Meaning & Usage

- To move slowly or casually (verb)

Lula:

We’d better mosey on over to church.

Hank:

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

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.

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

Kin Words, Stories and More

Common Questions

Does "mosey" mean the same as walk?

Not exactly. It means to walk slowly, casually, or without hurry.

Is "mosey" only Southern?

It’s strong in Southern and Appalachian speech, but also shows up in cowboy and Western talk.

When did people start saying "mosey"?

It shows up in American English in the early 19th century.

Is "mosey" still used today?

Yes. It’s still common in storytelling and casual speech, often with a nostalgic or country feel.