In Appalachian speech, "strang" is the l
‘Strang’ is more of an old-timer way of sayin’ it, but you’ll still hear it plenty.
In Appalachian speech, strang is the regional pronunciation of string. You’ll hear it most in gardening and kitchen talk - like a strang of beans - but any string can be a strang.
'Strang' is more of an old timer way of saying it, but you'll still hear it plenty.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
'Strang' is more of an old timer way of saying it, but you'll still hear it plenty.
Pronunciation
[STRANG]
/stræŋ/
Meaning & Usage
- String / Piece of cord (noun)
Practical use
Earl:
Hand me a strang to tie this sack shut.
- String of beans (noun)
Garden talk
Ruby:
Them strangs of beans is ready for pickin’.
variations: strang, string
★ If you hear "strang" around a mountain kitchen, odds are good they’re talkin’ about beans - fresh-picked, strung, snapped, and ready for the pot. ★
Origin and Etymology
From Old English streng and related Scots/Ulster dialect forms meaning "string" or "cord." Scots-Irish settlers carried it into Appalachia, where the pronunciation held on, especially in rural talk.
Usage Notes
Still heard among older and rural Appalachian speakers. Younger generations may use it jokingly or only in the phrase "a strang of beans."
Say It Like a Southerner
Say "string" but let the vowel shift wide and drop the "i." It comes out as "strang," rhyming with "hang."
Not in this context - here it’s strictly the dialect form of "string."
Is it still used today?
Yes, especially in rural speech and gardening talk.
Is it uniquely Appalachian?
It’s strongest there, but its roots trace to Scots and Ulster English.
Do people write it as "strang"?
In dialect writing, yes. In standard spelling, it appears as "string."
How to Cite This Page
APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, November 17). Strang. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/strang
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Strang." HillbillySlang.com, 17 Nov. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/strang.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Strang." HillbillySlang.com. November 17, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/strang.
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Created by a true, actual, proper, real-life hillbilly, HillbillySlang 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...
'Strang' is more of an old timer way of saying it, but you'll still hear it plenty.