Hitch in My Get-Along

In Southern and Appalachian speech, "hitch in my get-along" means a limp, snag, or physical difficulty that keeps someone from moving normally.

#SouthernSayings #Appalachia #Southern #BodyandHealth

synonyms: limp, hobble, soreness, snag, slowdown

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I've heard somebody say, 'I've got a 'hitch in my get-along' a handful of times, I wouldn't call it super common.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I've heard somebody say, 'I've got a 'hitch in my get-along' a handful of times, I wouldn't call it super common.

Pronunciation

[HITCH in mah GET-uh-long]
/hɪtʃ ɪn ma ˈɡɛt.ə.lɔŋ/

Meaning & Usage

- A limp or difficulty walking (idiomatic expression)

Martha:

Why’s Carl walkin’ crooked?

Benny:

Got a hitch in his get-along. Says he twisted his knee steppin’ off the porch.

variations: hitch in your get-along

★ Folks use this one playfully too - anything or anybody movin’ slow can have a hitch in their get-along, even a stubborn lawnmower. ★

Origin and Etymology

This expression developed in the rural South and Appalachia during the early to mid-20th century. "Get-along" was an older Southern way of referring to a person’s overall movement or ability to "get along" physically. Adding "hitch" - a long-standing word for a limp or snag - created a humorous, memorable phrase for walking awkwardly or experiencing a physical slowdown. The idiom remains primarily Southern/Appalachian, though it appears occasionally in country music and rural American humor.

Usage Notes

"Hitch in my get-along" is almost always used for physical discomfort, a limp, or soreness, especially after overexertion. It carries a humorous tone and is friendly rather than serious. Speakers may also use it figuratively for a slow-moving project, animal, or machine. The phrase is far more common in the South and Appalachia than anywhere else.

Has a hitch in my get-along → walking with a limp or soreness
Hitch in your get-along → playful, friendly comment
Sometimes applied to animals, equipment, or plans
Less Western than "hitch in my giddy-up"; this one is distinctly Southern/Appalachian

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Is this phrase the same as "hitch in my giddy-up"?

No. They’re related in meaning but come from different traditions; "get-along" is rooted in Southern/Appalachian speech, while "giddy-up" has cowboy/Western origins.

Does it always imply a limp?

Usually yes, though it can also refer to any minor physical difficulty or slowdown.

Is it modern slang?

No. It’s an older rural expression still heard in Southern and Appalachian communities.

Can you use it jokingly?

Definitely - that’s the most common tone.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, November 15). Hitch in My Get-Along. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/hitch-in-my-get-along
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Hitch in My Get-Along." HillbillySlang.com, 15 Nov. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/hitch-in-my-get-along.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Hitch in My Get-Along." HillbillySlang.com. November 15, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/hitch-in-my-get-along.

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