   Gettin’ Down to Short RowsIn Appalachian and Southern speech, "gettin’ down to short rows" means "nearing the end" or "finishing up." It comes from farm life, where the end rows of a field are shorter and quicker to plow or pick. Hillbilly Dude Says...  I didn't hear 'gettin’ down to short rows’ growin' up, so I'm thinkin' it may be regional. Pronunciation[GET-in DOWN tuh SHORT ROWS] Meaning & Usage- Near the end of a task; wrapping up (idiom / figurative)
Mae:
We’ve been at this all day.
Earl:
Hang on - we’re gettin’ down to short rows now.other spellings: down to the short rows, and almost finished ★ This expression draws directly from farm life. Fields were planted in long rows; the short rows at the edge meant you were almost finished. Today it’s used for sermons, meetings, or any project nearing completion. ★ OriginDocumented in Southern and South Midland speech by the Dictionary of American Regional English and agricultural writings. Authentic to Appalachian and Southern farm life where row-cropping was standard. NotesStill widely used in the South and Appalachia. Outside the region it’s rare and may need explaining. Often used humorously to signal "I’m almost done talking." Say It Like a SouthernerSaid plain: "gettin’ down tuh short rows." The "g" is dropped in "gettin’," and "to" often sounds like "tuh." | Latest Accents 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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