Borried

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "borried" is the common past tense of the dialect word "borry," meaning "borrowed."

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Hillbilly Dude Says...

I ain't borried anything in a long time, but that's how we mostly pronounce it. Sometimes comes out bah-ruh'd.

Pronunciation

[bahr-eed]

Meaning & Usage

- Took Temporarily (in the Past) (verb)

Earl:

I borried Clyde’s mower last week.

Ruby:

Best get it back ‘fore he comes knockin’.

variations: borried, borry (past tense)

★ If you’re talkin’ about yesterday or last year, "borried" is the way many folks naturally put it in Appalachian dialect - even if English teachers might wince. ★

Origin

"Borried" comes from the same vowel shift as "borry," with the regular English past tense "-ed" ending added. Brought over in Scots-Irish speech patterns in the 18th and 19th centuries, this form took root in Appalachian English and still lingers today.

Notes

"Borried" is nonstandard in formal English but widely understood in its home regions. It’s most often heard in casual conversation and storytelling, rarely in writing outside of dialect representation.

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Common Questions

Is "borried" in the dictionary?

Not in most modern dictionaries, but it appears in dialect collections and regional glossaries.

Is "borried" only used for physical objects?

Usually, but you might hear it used for money, tools, or even time.

Where is it still common?

Rural parts of Appalachia and the South, especially among older speakers.

How is it different from "borrowed"?

Meaning is the same - the difference is entirely in pronunciation and dialect heritage.