Bein’ Ugly
In Appalachian and Southern speech, "bein’ ugly" (sometimes written "being ugly") means acting mean, rude, or hateful. It’s less about rowdiness and more about attitude - showing spite, sass, or unkindness toward others.
#SouthernSayings #Appalachia #PeopleandRelationships #Southern #ScoldingandTeasing
Hillbilly Dude Says...
I think 'bein’ ugly' is another regional one. Our family never used it, but the family from acrosst the mountain did. 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.
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.
She was just bein’ ugly ’cause she didn’t get her way.variations: being mean, hateful, unkind, rude, sassy, smart-mouthed, 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." ★
Origin and Etymology
From 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.
Usage Notes
Heard 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 Southerner
Said plain: "bee-in ug-lee." The "g" in "being" is dropped: "bein’."
Kin Topics
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How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, October 5). Being Ugly. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/being-ugly
- MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "Being Ugly." HillbillySlang.com, 5 Oct. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/being-ugly.
- Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "Being Ugly." HillbillySlang.com. October 5, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/being-ugly.
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