Go Over Like a Hair in a Biscuit
In Appalachian and Southern speech, "go over like a hair in a biscuit" means something was unwelcome, awkward, or poorly received. It’s a colorful country simile rooted in Southern kitchen life.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
'That went over like a hair in a biscuit,' is another one of those I didn't hear growin' up, but hear it plenty two counties over. Hillbilly Dude Says...
'That went over like a hair in a biscuit,' is another one of those I didn't hear growin' up, but hear it plenty two counties over. Pronunciation
[go OH-ver lyk uh HAIR in uh BIS-kit]
Meaning & Usage
- Describing something unwelcome or badly received (simile)
Mae:
Did they like your joke?
Did they like your joke?
Earl:
Nope. It went over like a hair in a biscuit.
Nope. It went over like a hair in a biscuit.- Describing an awkward or uncomfortable situation (figurative)
Mae:
How’d that new casserole go over?
How’d that new casserole go over?
Earl:
Like a hair in a biscuit.
Like a hair in a biscuit.variations: go over like a hair on a biscuit
★ This saying draws on a vivid image: a hair in a biscuit ruins the whole bite. It’s a perfect metaphor for a flop, and instantly paints a picture only someone raised on biscuits would understand. ★
Origin and Etymology
Documented in mid-20th-century Southern humor and oral storytelling. Built on the older "went over like a lead balloon" but given a distinctively Southern twist using everyday kitchen life. Biscuits being a staple of Southern cooking, the image resonated strongly in Appalachian and rural Southern homes.
Usage Notes
Still widely heard among older Southerners and in rural speech. Outsiders often recognize it as a colorful Southernism but rarely use it themselves.
Say It Like a Southerner
Said plain: "go over like a hair in a biscuit." Sometimes "go over like a hair on a biscuit."
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Created by The Hillbilly Dude, this site is a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia but reaching across the world. Every slang word, saying, accent and story is gathered from first-hand experience and trusted sources. The goal: preserve authentic voices and share them with writers, learners, and culture lovers everywhere - with a little humor thrown in here and there. Read more...Slang and folklore change from place to place - this is how I know it. Read the full disclaimer and terms of use →
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