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.
Kin Topics
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How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, August 30). Passel. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/passel
- MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "Passel." HillbillySlang.com, 30 Aug. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/passel.
- Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "Passel." HillbillySlang.com. August 30, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/passel.
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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...