Spell
In Appalachian and Southern speech, "spell" means a short period of time. Folks use it to talk about sittin’, visitin’, or weather: "Stay for a spell," "It’s cold out for a spell."
Hillbilly Dude Says...
If it's been cold in the mornin's lately, you might say 'we really had a cold spell.' Hillbilly Dude Says...
If it's been cold in the mornin's lately, you might say 'we really had a cold spell.' Pronunciation
[SPEL]
Meaning & Usage
- A short time, a while (noun)
Mae:
You stayin’ long?
You stayin’ long?
Earl:
Just a spell.
Just a spell.- A stretch of weather or condition (noun)
Mae:
We had a cold spell last week.
We had a cold spell last week.variations: short time, little while, bit, period, stretch, for a spell, a long spell
★ "Spell" in this sense nearly always means *a while* or *a stretch* - not a magic charm. The meaning depends on context. ★
Origin and Etymology
From Old English *spell* (a story, saying). By the 1500s, it developed the sense of "a turn" or "a period of time." That older use faded from most English but stayed alive in Appalachian and Southern speech.
Usage Notes
Still common in Appalachia and the South. Outside these regions, people may understand "cold spell" but rarely use "spell" by itself to mean "a while."
Say It Like a Southerner
Said plain: "spel." Quick and clipped, just like it looks.