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.
#SouthernWords #Appalachia #Southern #BodyandHealth #Euphemisms
synonyms: rear end, high end, buttocks
Hillbilly Dude Says...
Growin' up it was ususally 'hind end' or tail. It's still used out in the country. 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.★ "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 and Etymology
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.
Usage 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."
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How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 18). Tail. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/tail
- MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "Tail." HillbillySlang.com, 18 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/tail.
- Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "Tail." HillbillySlang.com. September 18, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/tail.
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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...