Scat There, Tom
In Appalachian and Southern speech, "scat there, Tom" is a playful variation of the sneeze response "scat there," adding a friendly name for rhythm and fun.
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Hillbilly Dude Says...
This is what I normally say in response to a sneeze myself - "scat there, tom!". If there's another sneeze after, they get the upgraded version. Pronunciation
[skat th-air tahm]
Meaning & Usage
- Sneeze Response (interjection)
Mae:
ACHOO!
ACHOO!
Elmer:
Scat there, Tom!
Scat there, Tom!variations: scat there tom
scat, tom
scat there, tommy
scat there tomcat
★ The "Tom" doesn’t have to be your name - it’s just a folksy tag that makes the phrase roll off the tongue and stick in the memory. ★
Origin
"Scat" has long been used to shoo away bad luck, animals, or trouble. In sneeze responses, adding a name like "Tom" likely started as a playful or rhyming addition, and in Appalachian tradition it became a familiar, friendly turn of phrase.
Notes
"Scat there, Tom" is still remembered by many in rural Appalachia and the South. It’s rarer than a simple "scat there," but more likely to get a chuckle.