  Bein’ UglyIn Appalachian and Southern speech, "bein’ ugly" means acting mean, rude, or hateful. It’s less about rowdiness and more about attitude - showing spite, sass, or unkindness toward others. Hillbilly Dude Says...  I think 'bein’ ugly' is another regional one. Our family never used it, but the family from acrosst the mountain did. Pronunciation[BEE-in UHG-lee] Meaning & Usage- To be rude or unkind in speech (verb phrase)
Mae:
Don’t be ugly - say grace before you eat.- To act hateful or spiteful toward others (verb phrase)
Earl:
She was just bein’ ugly ’cause she didn’t get her way.other spellings: being mean, hateful, unkind, rude, sassy, smart-mouthed, and ill-tempered ★ "Bein’ ugly" is almost always about *attitude.* It’s a way parents and elders gently (or firmly) correct behavior without using harsher words like "mean" or "hateful." ★ OriginFrom the older English sense of "ugly" meaning unpleasant, offensive, or morally bad. In Appalachia and the South, the phrase narrowed into a common way of scolding rude or hateful behavior. NotesHeard widely in Appalachian and Southern speech, especially in family, school, and church talk. Rare outside these regions, where "ugly" almost always means physical appearance. Say It Like a SouthernerSaid plain: "bee-in ug-lee." The "g" in "being" is dropped: "bein’." | 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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