Folks
"Folks" is a familiar way of saying people, kin, or community. While understood nationally, in Appalachian and Southern speech it often carries a warmer sense - meaning family, neighbors, or just plain "your people."
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Hillbilly Dude Says...
You'll hear 'folks' used on a regular basis down here. Pronunciation
[FOHKS]
Meaning & Usage
- Parents or family (noun, plural)
Mae:
Where’s your folks from?
Where’s your folks from?
Earl:
Up in Hancock County.
Up in Hancock County.- People in general (noun, plural)
Mae:
Lots of folks showed up to the revival.
Lots of folks showed up to the revival.- Neighbors or community (noun, plural)
Mae:
Folks round here grow a lotta beans.
Folks round here grow a lotta beans.variations: people, kin, family, neighbors
★ In Appalachia and the South, "folks" often means "family" or "kin." Outsiders may hear it as just "people," but locals use it with more closeness. ★
Origin
From Old English *folc* (people, tribe). Though used everywhere in English, Appalachia and the South kept "folks" as an everyday, familiar word for kin and community.
Notes
Nationally understood, but much more frequent in Appalachian and Southern talk. Carries a sense of warmth and belonging when used for family or neighbors.
Say It Like a Southerner
Said plain: "fohks." Sometimes shortened to "fokes" in quick speech.