In Southern and Appalachian speech, particular means picky, fussy, or hard to please. It refers to someone who insists on things being done a certain way, often tied to food, habits, or personal preferences.
synonyms: picky, fussy, choosy, finicky, hard to please
Hillbilly Dude Says...
You'll definitely hear 'particular' bein' used to describe folks work habits out in the country.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
You'll definitely hear 'particular' bein' used to describe folks work habits out in the country.
Pronunciation
[pur-TIC-uh-ler]
/pərˈtɪk.ə.lər/
Meaning & Usage
- Picky or fussy about details (adjective)
Talking about food
Mae:
Think she’ll like the cornbread?
Earl:
She’s awful particular ’bout the crust bein’ just right.
- Having strong personal preferences (adjective)
Around the house
Mae:
Why’s the chair turned that way?
Earl:
He’s particular ’bout how he sits to watch the news.
- Hard to satisfy or set in one’s ways (adjective)
General behavior
Mae:
He don’t like any coffee but his own?
Earl:
Nope. Man’s particular as they come.
variations: partickler
★ If somebody’s "particular," it ain’t always criticism-they might just be steady, seasoned, and know exactly how they like things. But it sure can slow down a supper table. ★
Origin and Etymology
The semantic extension of "particular" meaning "picky" or "fussy" appears in 19th-century Southern and Appalachian English, developing from earlier British uses that emphasized carefulness or attention to detail. In the Southern Highlands and Deep South, the term shifted toward describing personal fussiness or strict preferences, a meaning still active in regional speech today.
Usage Notes
This regional sense of "particular" remains common in Southern and Appalachian everyday language. Speakers use it for people who insist on specific methods, ingredients, routines, or habits. The meaning is easily understood outside the region, though the nuance of affectionate teasing is strongest in the South.
Often used about food, housekeeping, clothing, or routines.
May be pronounced "partickler" in rural or older speech.
Can express light criticism or gentle humor, depending on tone.
Meaning differs from the standard English sense of "specific."
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, November 22). Particular. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/particular
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Particular." HillbillySlang.com, 22 Nov. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/particular.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Particular." HillbillySlang.com. November 22, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/particular.
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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...
You'll definitely hear 'particular' bein' used to describe folks work habits out in the country. 
