   Shoot Far!In Appalachian and Southern speech, "shoot far" is an exclamation showing surprise, disbelief, or mild astonishment - similar to saying "well I’ll be" or "you don’t say." Pronunciation[shoo-uht fahr] Meaning & Usage- Express Surprise or Disbelief (exclamation)
Mae:
 Clyde finally fixed that fence.
Elmer:
Shoot far - I didn’t think he’d ever get around to it.
Ruby:
That calf weighed 95 pounds at birth.
Earl:
Shoot far! That’s a big one.variations: shoot far, shooot far ★ It’s never about distance - "shoot far" is a folksy reaction, not a command. Think of it as a clean, country-flavored "well I’ll be" you can say in polite company. ★ Origin and EtymologyLikely a softened euphemism for stronger exclamations, "shoot" being a common stand-in for "sh-" and "far" possibly evolving from "fire" or simply added for rhythm. It’s been recorded in rural American speech for generations. Usage NotesTone is everything - said with a smile, it’s pure good-natured surprise; said slowly, it can hint at skepticism. It’s a safe, all-ages phrase, so you’ll hear it from kids to grandparents. Say It Like a SouthernerStart with "shoot" as one quick syllable, almost like "shooot" with a short, relaxed vowel. Follow with "far," giving it a little drawl so it sounds closer to "fahr." Keep your tone rising slightly at the end, like you’re reacting to unexpected news - friendly surprise, not anger. | ...
About Created by The Hillbilly Dude, this site 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... |
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