Foolin’ With

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "foolin’ with" means either bothering with something or having anything to do with it. It often carries a warning tone - don’t mess with that mower, don’t tangle with that business, don’t get near that kind of trouble.

#Appalachia #Southern

Hillbilly Dude Says...

Talking about 'foolin' with something...' is in everday speech around here.

Pronunciation

[FOOL-in with]

Meaning & Usage

- To bother with or mess with something

Used when deciding whether to take the time, effort, or trouble. "I wouldn’t fool with that old mower - it won’t run."

- To have anything to do with (often negative)

Used to set a boundary - don’t tangle with it, don’t touch it, don’t risk it. "I don’t fool with snakes."

other spellings: messing with, bothering with, tangling with, and having to do with

Say It Like a Southerner

Said plain: "fool-in’ with." The "g" drops.

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