tail
In Appalachian and Southern speech, "tail" often means the backside or rear end. It can be used literally for animals or figuratively for people, usually in joking or scolding.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
Growin' up it was ususally 'hind end' or tail. It's still used out in the country. Pronunciation
[TAYL]
Meaning & Usage
- The rear part of a person or animal (noun)
Mae:
Where’d he land?
Where’d he land?
Earl:
Right on his tail.
Right on his tail.- A playful or scolding term for backside (figurative)
Mae:
Get your tail over here and eat.
Get your tail over here and eat.other spellings: sit your tail down, get your tail in gear, and he fell flat on his tail
★ "Tail" is a milder, family-friendly way of talking about the backside. It often shows up in scoldings: *"Sit your tail down"* or *"Move your tail."* ★
Origin
From Old English *tægel*, meaning the tail of an animal. In rural American dialects, especially Southern and Appalachian, it extended to mean the backside in general.
Notes
Still common in the South and Appalachia. Recognized everywhere, though outside the region it may sound childish or playful. Closely related to sayings like "get your tail in gear" and "haulin’ tail."
Say It Like a Southerner
Said plain: "tail."