Sassin’

In Southern and Appalachian speech, "sassing" means talking back, being mouthy, or showing disrespect to a parent, elder, or teacher.

#SouthernWords #Appalachia #PeopleandRelationships #Southern #ScoldingandTeasing

synonyms: backtalk, mouthing off, lip

Hillbilly Dude Says...

It's still common to hear somebody say, 'don’t you go sassin’ me, young man' around here. I don't sass nobody myself.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

It's still common to hear somebody say, 'don’t you go sassin’ me, young man' around here. I don't sass nobody myself.

Pronunciation

[SASS-in]
/ˈsæs.ən/

Meaning & Usage

- To talk back or be disrespectful (verb)

Mae:

Why’s he in trouble?

Earl:

Been sassin’ the teacher again.

- Disrespectful or cheeky speech (noun: "sass")

Mae:

What’d he say?

Earl:

Nothin’ but sass - I told him to hush.

variations: sassin'

★ "Sassin’" wasn’t playful - it was one of the quickest ways for a kid to get reminded to mind their manners. Threats like "I’ll mash your mouth" or "I’ll tan your hide" usually weren’t far behind. ★

Origin and Etymology

"Sass" is a clipped form of "saucy," meaning impudent or insolent, dating back to the 1700s in British English. In American Southern and Appalachian dialects, it developed into the verb "sassin’," specifically meaning to talk back to authority.

Usage Notes

"Sassing" is still heard in Southern and Appalachian homes, especially when correcting children. In other regions, "sass" can be playful or humorous, but in the South it typically carries a sharper meaning tied to respect and upbringing.

Used mainly for backtalk directed at elders or authority figures.
Often appears in family discipline or school settings.
Still common in rural and traditional households.

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Is "sassing" always negative?

In Southern and Appalachian speech, yes - it refers to disrespect or backtalk.

Do people still say "sassing" today?

Yes, especially in rural areas and older generations, though younger people sometimes use it jokingly.

Is "sassing" the same as being "sassy"?

Not exactly. "Sassy" can be playful (but not usually), but "sassing" means direct disrespect toward someone in authority.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, November 17). Sassing. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/sassing/
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Sassing." HillbillySlang.com, 17 Nov. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/sassing/.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Sassing." HillbillySlang.com. November 17, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/sassing/.