Call the Law
In Appalachian and Southern speech, "call the law" means "call the police" or "notify law enforcement." It’s a longstanding regional way to talk about getting the authorities involved.
synonyms: police, cops
Hillbilly Dude Says...
Out in the country, it's almost exclusively 'call the law.' Hillbilly Dude Says...
Out in the country, it's almost exclusively 'call the law.' Pronunciation
[KAWL thuh LAW]
Meaning & Usage
- To call the police or law enforcement (regional verb phrase)
Mae:
He’s still hollerin’ out there.
He’s still hollerin’ out there.
Earl:
We’re fixin’ to call the law.
We’re fixin’ to call the law.★ "Call the law" is a hallmark of Southern/Appalachian speech. It’s direct and plain, reflecting a time when "the law" meant the local sheriff or constable rather than an abstract system. ★
Origin and Etymology
Noted in Appalachian oral histories and common in rural Southern speech since at least the early 20th century, where "the law" referred to the county sheriff or local constabulary.
Usage Notes
Still widely used in the South and Appalachia. Outside the region it’s rarer and may sound quaint or old-fashioned, but the meaning is usually clear.
Say It Like a Southerner
Said plain: "call thuh law." Often in sentences like "The neighbors called the law" or "He threatened to call the law on us."
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