Passel
In Appalachian and Southern speech, a "passel" means a large number or crowd. It’s a folksy way of saying "a whole lot" of something.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
I never heard this one growing up where I was - but a good friend of mine uses 'passel,' and, along with his family, always has. So it must be regional. Hillbilly Dude Says...
I never heard this one growing up where I was - but a good friend of mine uses 'passel,' and, along with his family, always has. So it must be regional. Pronunciation
[PASS-uhl]
Meaning & Usage
- Large number, crowd, or heap (noun)
Mae:
We caught a passel of fish this mornin’.
We caught a passel of fish this mornin’.
Earl:
Oughta be supper and breakfast both.
Oughta be supper and breakfast both.variations: parcel (original form), heap, bunch, mess, whole lot, crowd
★ A "passel" doesn’t mean an exact number - just "a lot." It’s usually used for people, kids, animals, or things in abundance. ★
Origin and Etymology
From "parcel," which once meant a portion or part. In Appalachian and Southern speech, the word shifted to "passel," and its meaning expanded to "a large number."
Usage Notes
Common across Appalachia and the South, especially among older generations. Still used today in family talk, often with kids or animals: "a passel of puppies."
Say It Like a Southerner
Said quick: "pass’l." The middle vowel softens, almost dropping out.