sigogglin

In Appalachian speech, "sigogglin" means crooked, askew, or off-balance. It’s used for buildings, furniture, or anything that’s not straight or level.

#Appalachia #Southern

Hillbilly Dude Says...

We use 'sigogglin' for something crooked, slantin’, leanin’ like it might fall. This is one I can remember my Momma sayin.

Pronunciation

[SIH-gog-lin]

Meaning & Usage

- Crooked, askew (adjective)

Mae:

That fence is all sigogglin after the storm.

Earl:

Reckon it’ll take a day to set it straight.

other spellings: sigogglin’, cattywampus, catawampus, crooked, and askew

★ If something’s "sigogglin," it isn’t just a little crooked - it’s leaning bad enough that folks notice. Think barns ready to fall or chairs that wobble when you sit. ★

Origin

"Sigogglin" is pure Appalachian dialect, probably a playful alteration of words like "goggling" (meaning askew or awry). It’s been recorded in mountain speech since at least the 19th century, passed down through oral tradition.

Notes

Still heard in rural Appalachia, especially among older speakers. Younger folks may not use it daily, but many recognize it as a colorful mountainism.

Say It Like a Southerner

Say it loose: "sig-gog-lin." First syllable soft ("sih"), then let the rest roll off your tongue.

Kin Topics

Kin Words, Stories and More

Common Questions

Is "sigogglin" the same as "cattywampus"?

Close - both mean crooked, but "sigogglin" is more Appalachian, while "cattywampus" shows up across the South and Midwest.

Can it describe people?

Rarely - it’s almost always used for objects or buildings, not personalities.

Is it still used today?

Yes, though it’s less common than it once was. Many Appalachian families keep it alive as part of their heritage speech.