’Bout

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "’bout" (short for "about") often means "almost" or "nearly." It’s a quick, folksy way to express that something came close to happening.

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Hillbilly Dude Says...

I used '’bout' all the time instead of 'almost' - and it's commonplace down here.

Pronunciation

[BAHT] or [’BOWT] depending on speaker

Meaning & Usage

- Almost or nearly (informal usage) (adverb)

Mae:

How cold was it?

Earl:

I ’bout froze waitin’ for you.

- Used to intensify a narrow escape or strong reaction

Mae:

Did you scream?

Earl:

I ’bout jumped outta my skin.

variations: about, almost, nearly, fixin’ to (related construction)

★ In Southern/Appalachian speech, "’bout" isn’t just shorthand for "about" - it’s a living construction meaning "almost" or "nearly," especially when paired with past tense verbs. ★

Origin

"About" has long meant "approximately" or "nearly" in English. Appalachian and Southern speech clipped it to "’bout" and extended its use to mean "came close to." This is documented in the Dictionary of American Regional English and oral histories across the region.

Notes

Still widely used in the South and Appalachia. Outside the region, people may understand it but rarely use it with the "almost" meaning in everyday speech.

Say It Like a Southerner

Say it short and soft: "’bout." Drop the "a" entirely so it starts with a soft "b" sound - "’bout" rhymes with "out."

Kin Topics

Kin Words, Stories and More

Common Questions

Does "’bout" just mean "about"?

In this context it means "almost" or "nearly."

Do people still say this today?

Yes - especially in rural or family settings and in storytelling.

Is it unique to Appalachia?

Strongest in the South and Appalachia but recognized elsewhere.

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