uppity

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "uppity" means acting arrogant, snobbish, or too proud. It’s a down-home way of saying somebody’s getting above themselves.

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Hillbilly Dude Says...

Oh you'll hear people say, 'uppity' when it's necessary. It's common.

Pronunciation

[UH-puh-tee]

Meaning & Usage

- Arrogant or self-important (adjective)

Mae:

Why won’t she talk to us?

Earl:

She’s feelin’ uppity since movin’ uptown.

- Acting superior to others (adjective, figurative)

Mae:

You think you’re too good for beans now?

Earl:

Don’t get all uppity on us.

★ "Uppity" is sharp but not foul. It’s often playful among friends or family - a way to poke fun when somebody’s getting too proud. ★

Origin

The word dates to the late 1800s in American English, blending "up" with the -ity ending to mean "full of upward airs." It took strongest root in Southern speech, where it became a common adjective for someone acting above their place.

Notes

"Uppity" is still used in the South and Appalachia, especially in family talk or storytelling. However, it also carries a **historic racial context** - in the Jim Crow era, whites often used it as a slur toward Black people seen as "too proud." Today, many use it without that meaning, but the history lingers, so tone and audience matter.

Say It Like a Southerner

Said plain: "up-uh-tee." Often stretched a little in Southern speech: "uhppity."

Kin Topics

Kin Words, Stories and More

Common Questions

Is "uppity" always an insult?

Not always - it can be lighthearted teasing, but it can also be cutting.

Do people outside the South use it?

Yes - it’s understood nationwide, but it has a strong Southern flavor.

Do folks still say it today?

Yes - it remains common, though some avoid it because of its history.