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.

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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’.

Earl:

Oughta be supper and breakfast both.

other spellings: parcel (original form), heap, bunch, mess, whole lot, and 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

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."

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

Kin Words, Stories and More

Common Questions

How many is a "passel"?

It’s not exact - just a lot.

Is "passel" unique to Appalachia?

No - it shows up across the South, but it’s especially common in mountain talk.

Do people still use it today?

Yes, though less often in formal speech. It’s still alive in family and country talk.