This’un

In Southern and Appalachian speech, "this’un" is the dialect form of "this one." It’s a natural way speech shortens words in everyday talk.

#SouthernWords #Appalachia #Southern

synonyms: this one

Hillbilly Dude Says...

We all use 'this’un' out in the country. If you grew up here, you probly say it without thinkin'.

Pronunciation

[THIS-un] /ˈðɪs.ən/

Meaning & Usage

- Dialect form of "this one" (pronoun)

Martha:

You want this’un or that’un?

Clay:

I’ll take this’un - it looks sturdier.

variations: this’n

★ You’ll often hear this’un alongside that’un ("that one") or which’un ("which one") in the same dialect family. ★

Origin

Comes from the natural contraction of "this one" in spoken English. The dropped syllable and blended sounds show up in dialect writing as early as the 1800s. Strongly tied to Southern and Appalachian rural speech.

Notes

Usually spelled this’n or this’un when written to capture speech.
Still common in rural speech today, though rarely written outside of dialect stories.
Pairs naturally with that’un and which’un.

Kin Topics

Kin Words, Stories and More

Common Questions

What does "this’un" mean?

It simply means "this one," in Southern/Appalachian dialect speech.

How is "this’un" pronounced?

Like "this" plus "un" → /ˈðɪs.ən/.

Is it only Southern?

It’s strongly tied to Southern and Appalachian rural speech, though similar reductions happen in other English dialects.

Is "this’un" used in writing?

Rarely - it usually appears in dialect writing, stories, or transcription to capture the way people really talk.