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Hug Your Neck

In Southern and Appalachian speech, "hug your neck" is a warm way of saying "give you a hug." It emphasizes affection at the point of parting or greeting, often from older generations.

#SouthernSayings   #Appalachia   #PeopleandRelationships   #Southern   #BodyandHealth

Pronunciation

[HUG yer neck]

Meaning & Usage

- A friendly or affectionate embrace (idiom)

At the door
Mae:
Thanks for stoppin’ by.

Earl:
Come here and let me hug your neck.

- A cultural marker of warmth (idiom, cultural use)

Family visit
Mae:
When Granny seen me, first thing she done was hug my neck.

variations: lemme hug your neck
★ Necks weren’t singled out for hugs - it’s just the Southern/Appalachian way of saying "give you a hug," often with an extra dose of tenderness. ★

Origin and Etymology

Likely developed in rural Southern and Appalachian families, where kinship terms and affectionate phrases carried a strong physical sense. "Hug your neck" became the natural shorthand for giving someone a hug.

Usage Notes

Still common today in Appalachian and Southern families, especially among older generations. Outsiders often find it quaint or poetic, but within the region it’s an everyday expression of love.

Say It Like a Southerner

Said plain: "hug yer neck." Often said gently, almost like a blessing.

Kin Topics

Related Pages

Common Questions

Why the neck?
It’s not literal - it’s just the regional way of saying "hug you."
Do people still say this today?
Yes, especially in family settings across the South and Appalachia.
Is it unique to the South?
Strongest in Southern and Appalachian regions, though occasionally heard elsewhere.

How to Cite This Page

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    The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 18). Hug Your Neck. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/hug-your-neck
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  • Chicago (17th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. "Hug Your Neck." HillbillySlang.com. September 18, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/hug-your-neck.
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