Shaller
In Appalachian and Southern speech, "shaller" is the common pronunciation of "shallow." The middle "ow" sound shifts to "er," following the same vowel pattern as "piller" (pillow) and "winder" (window).
Hillbilly Dude Says...
If you're out in the country, 'shaller' is still the opposite of deep. Hillbilly Dude Says...
If you're out in the country, 'shaller' is still the opposite of deep. Pronunciation
[SHAL-er]
Meaning & Usage
- Not deep (of water, ground, etc.) (adjective)
Mae:
Fish won’t be in this spot - it’s too shaller.
Fish won’t be in this spot - it’s too shaller.- Lacking depth (figurative) (adjective)
Earl:
He’s smart, but a bit shaller when it comes to common sense.
He’s smart, but a bit shaller when it comes to common sense.variations: shallow, not deep, low, thin, barely coverin’, skin deep
★ "Shaller" isn’t a different word - it’s just how "shallow" naturally comes out in Appalachian and Southern speech. ★
Origin and Etymology
From Old English *sceald* (not deep). Standard English settled on "shallow," but in Appalachian and Southern dialects, vowel shifts turned it into "shaller."
Usage Notes
Common in Appalachian and Southern speech, especially around creeks, rivers, and ponds. Rare outside these regions, where people nearly always say "shallow."
Say It Like a Southerner
Said plain: "shal-er." The "ow" in "shallow" flattens into "er."