Oncet
In Appalachian and Southern speech, "oncet" is the regional way of saying "once." The extra "-t" on the end follows the same speech pattern as "twicet," "acrosst," and "clost."
Hillbilly Dude Says...
Somtimes I say 'once', and sometimes 'oncet.' Duttin seem to be any rhyme or reason to it. Hillbilly Dude Says...
Somtimes I say 'once', and sometimes 'oncet.' Duttin seem to be any rhyme or reason to it. Pronunciation
[WUNSST] or [WUNS-t]
Meaning & Usage
- One time (adverb)
Mae:
You ever rode a train?
You ever rode a train?
Earl:
Only oncet, when I was a boy.
Only oncet, when I was a boy.variations: once, one time, a single time, the one time, just once, that time
★ "Oncet" is almost always used in storytelling - folks saying where they’ve been, what they’ve done, or who they’ve seen that one time. ★
Origin and Etymology
From Old English *ān siþ* (one time). In Appalachian and Southern speech, the "-t" sound drifted in naturally, creating "oncet" as a stable regional form.
Usage Notes
Very common in Appalachian and Southern speech, especially among older generations. Rare outside these regions, where "once" is the standard form.
Say It Like a Southerner
Said plain: "wunst" or "wuns-t." The "-t" sound comes in quick at the end.
Kin Topics
Related Pages
How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 1). Oncet. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/oncet
- MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "Oncet." HillbillySlang.com, 1 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/oncet.
- Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "Oncet." HillbillySlang.com. September 1, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/oncet.
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Created by a true, actual, proper, real-life hillbilly, HillbillySlang 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...