Aways Ago
In Southern and Appalachian speech, "aways ago" means a while ago or a long time back. It’s a regional variation that compresses "a while ago" into a shorter, more natural phrase.
synonyms: a while ago, some time back, long ago
Hillbilly Dude Says...
I've heard and said 'aways ago' all my life, it's a common one out in the country. Hillbilly Dude Says...
I've heard and said 'aways ago' all my life, it's a common one out in the country. Pronunciation
[uh-WAYZ uh-go]
/əˈweɪz əˌɡoʊ/
/əˈweɪz əˌɡoʊ/
Meaning & Usage
- A while back; some time ago (expression)
Hazel:
Didn’t we see him at the fair?
Didn’t we see him at the fair?
Earl:
Yeah, that was aways ago.
Yeah, that was aways ago.variations: always ago, a ways ago, a'ways ago
★ Though sometimes written as "always ago" in dialect notes, the authentic spoken form is "aways ago." ★
Origin and Etymology
The phrase developed in Southern and Appalachian dialects as a colloquial shortening of "a while ago." It has been noted in regional speech since at least the early 20th century, though rarely printed outside of dialect writing or fiction.
Usage Notes
- Common in everyday talk across Appalachia and the South.
- Used casually to recall something that happened earlier, whether hours or years before.
- Less recognized outside the South, where "a while ago" is the standard form.
- Some early collectors transcribed it as "always ago," though speakers weren’t literally using "always."
Kin Topics
Related Pages
How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 30). Aways Ago. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/aways-ago
- MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "Aways Ago." HillbillySlang.com, 30 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/aways-ago.
- Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "Aways Ago." HillbillySlang.com. September 30, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/aways-ago.
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