   Got TickledIn Southern and Appalachian speech, "Got Tickled" means you started laughing uncontrollably or got the giggles - a hallmark regional expression for "cracked up." #SouthernSayings #Appalachia #PeopleandRelationships #Southern synonyms: cracked up, giggles, laughing Hillbilly Dude Says...  We had to go to a college play when I was in high school. It was a drama, but about Dracula (with seems like a oxymoron). When Dracula appeared onstage, he was a 6' 7" dude with giant hair like a 'stump full of grandaddies'. So I "got tickled" - and couldn't stop laughin' the rest of the performance. Pronunciation[GAHT TIK-uhld] /ɡɒt ˈtɪkəld/ Meaning & Usage- Burst out laughing / got the giggles (expression)
Elmer:
Why'd you leave the room when Estel came in?
Horace:
I got tickled at the hole in the back of his britches and couldn't stop laughin'.★ In Southern/Appalachian English, "got tickled" is the go-to way of saying "I cracked up laughing" - especially in situations where you’re not supposed to. It’s one of the region’s most recognizable expressions. ★ OriginFrom the older English "tickle" meaning "delight." Southern/Appalachian speech extended it to mean "burst out laughing," documented in rural newspapers, oral histories, and storytelling since at least the late 19th century. NotesStill widely heard in Southern/Appalachian speech. "Got tickled" is especially used for laughing when you shouldn’t - at church, in school, or during a serious event. Outside the region "tickled" is understood as "pleased," but "got tickled" for "cracked up laughing" is less common. Say It Like a SouthernerSay it natural: "got tickled" - used for laughing or cracking up, especially when you shouldn’t. Often extended as "I got so tickled"" or "We got tickled at that." | ...
Latest Accents About 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... |
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