  Ever So OftenIn Appalachian and Southern speech, "ever so often" means occasionally or from time to time. It’s a folksy variation of the more common "every so often." Hillbilly Dude Says...  'Ever so often' comes up all the time in everday speech. Pronunciation[EV-ur so OFF-un] or [EV-ur so AWF-in] Meaning & Usage- Occasionally / From Time to Time (adverb phrase)
Earl:
Do you clean out the springhouse much?
Estel:
Ever so often - keeps it from goin’ stale.
Ruby:
You go to meetin’ every Sunday?
Mae:
Not every one, but ever so often.other spellings: ever so often, every so often, and ever’ so often ★ "Ever so often" isn’t meant to be exact. It just means something happens once in a while, without any set schedule. ★ OriginFrom the phrase "every so often," recorded in English since the 1700s. In Appalachian and Southern dialects, the "every" often shifts to "ever," creating the local form "ever so often." NotesStill common in Appalachian and rural Southern speech. Some folks use "every so often" in writing, but "ever so often" feels more natural in spoken mountain talk. Say It Like a SouthernerDrop the "y" in "every," and it comes out "ever." In mountain talk, it’s smooth and quick: "ever so often." | About We are a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia, but wide as the world. Read more... |
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