 Actin’ a FoolIn Appalachian and Southern speech, "actin’ a fool" means behaving silly, rowdy, or downright ridiculous. It can be playful, but often it’s a scolding - said when someone’s clowning around, showing off, or misbehaving. Hillbilly Dude Says...  I'm nearly certain my neighbor from across the mountain said 'actin’ a fool,' but I can't be certain. We didn't say it in our house. But you can definitely hear it said plenty these days around here Pronunciation[AK-tin uh FOOL] Meaning & Usage- To act silly or clownish (verb phrase)
Mae:
He’s always actin’ a fool, crackin’ jokes in class.- To misbehave or cause trouble (verb phrase)
Mae:
Them kids was actin’ a fool the whole service.other spellings: acting up, cuttin’ up, carrying on, being silly, showin’ out, misbehavin’, and makin’ a scene ★ Tone matters: said with a laugh, it means playful clowning; said sharp, it’s a warning to cut it out. ★ OriginFrom standard English "acting a fool," meaning behaving foolishly. In Appalachian and Southern speech, the dropped "g" and everyday use gave it a life of its own. NotesVery common in Appalachia and the South, especially in family and school settings. Widely understood across the U.S., but used most naturally in Southern and Appalachian speech. Say It Like a SouthernerSaid plain: "ak-tin uh fool." The "g" in "acting" is dropped. | About We are a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia, but wide as the world. Read more... |
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