   Got Your Ears LoweredIn Appalachian and Southern speech, "got your ears lowered" is a playful way of saying someone got a haircut. It’s a joking compliment wrapped in teasing. Hillbilly Dude Says...  I've heard 'd'ya get your ears lowered' my whole life. I get mine lowered once't or twice't a year. Hillbilly Dude Says... I've heard 'd'ya get your ears lowered' my whole life. I get mine lowered once't or twice't a year. Pronunciation[got cher EERS loh-urd] Meaning & Usage- To Get a Haircut (idiomatic expression)
Earl:
Well now, got your ears lowered, I see.
Elmer:
Reckon I did - felt like I was totin’ a coonskin cap in July.
Ruby:
Don’t he look sharp? Got his ears lowered.
Mae:
’Bout time - I thought we lost him under that mop.variations: got your ears lowered, get your ears lowered, ears lowered ★ If somebody says you "got your ears lowered," take it as a compliment - but expect a chuckle. It’s usually said in good fun when folks notice your fresh haircut. ★ Origin and EtymologyThe phrase likely started as a barber shop joke in the early 20th century. Since cutting long hair makes ears stand out more, people joked that the barber must have "lowered" them. It spread across the South and Appalachia as a lighthearted way to remark on haircuts. Usage NotesThe expression is playful and never mean-spirited. You’ll hear it among family, friends, or barbers, usually said with a grin. It’s a folksy alternative to "nice haircut." Say It Like a SouthernerSay it with a smile: "got cher" runs together quick, "ears" gets the emphasis, and "lowered" often comes out as "loh-urd." It’s less about precision and more about tone - friendly teasing. | ...
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... |