Young’un 
In Appalachian speech, "young’un" means a child, usually your own, but often the kid of somebody you know. It’s a clipped form of "young one," said fast and plain.
synonyms: kid, child, children, son, daughter, grandson, granddaughter
Hillbilly Dude Says...
I do say 'young'uns' sometimes, but you'd hear this more from old timers. Hillbilly Dude Says...
I do say 'young'uns' sometimes, but you'd hear this more from old timers. Pronunciation
[YUNG-uhn] /ˈjʌŋ.ən/
Meaning & Usage
- A child (noun)
- Affectionate reference (noun)
Ruby:
Estel:
variations: young one, youngin, young ’un
★ "Young’un" can sound rough on the ear, but it’s usually said with affection. It’s how mountain folks talk about children without fussin’ with fancy words. ★
Origin and Etymology
A contraction of "young one," with the final syllable reduced to "’un." Common in Scots-Irish dialects that influenced Appalachian speech, and kept alive in oral tradition.
Usage Notes
"Young’un" is one of the most recognizable Appalachian terms, often used by grandparents and parents. The plural "young’uns" is equally common when talking about a brood of kids. Writers sometimes use it to flavor stories with regional authenticity.
Say It Like a Southerner
Say it quick: "YUNG-uhn." The "one" gets swallowed into "’un," turning "young one" into "young’un."