   Was You Born in a Barn?In Southern and Appalachian speech, "Was you born in a barn?" is a playful scolding used when someone leaves a door open. It’s a homespun way to say, "Shut the door and mind your manners." synonyms: close the door, mind your manners, were you raised in a barn Hillbilly Dude Says...  My Momma only used 'raised in a barn', so I think this one may be more regional. Pronunciation[WUZ yuh BORN in uh BARN] /wʌz jə bɔːɹn ɪn ə bɑːɹn/ Meaning & Usage- Playful rebuke for leaving a door open (saying / scolding)
Daddy:
Hey! Were you born in a barn?
Son:
Sorry, I’ll shut it!variations: were you born in a barn Origin and EtymologyThe saying comes from rural farm life, where barn doors stayed open for animals. Asking if someone was "born in a barn" implied they were actin’ like livestock instead of folks who knew better. While heard across the U.S., it’s especially common in the South, where good manners and humor often go hand-in-hand. Usage NotesStill used throughout the South and Appalachia, especially by parents or grandparents. Tone can range from teasing to half-serious, but it’s rarely mean-spirited.
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