I Heard That
In Appalachian and Southern speech, "I heard that" is often used as a strong agreement or affirmation, not just a literal statement of hearing. It means "I agree," "You said it," or "That’s the truth."
Hillbilly Dude Says...
'I heard that' is a part of everday conversation down here. I've heard it all my life. Hillbilly Dude Says...
'I heard that' is a part of everday conversation down here. I've heard it all my life. Pronunciation
[eye HER dat]
Meaning & Usage
- Agreement, affirmation (saying)
Mae:
These groceries cost more every week.
These groceries cost more every week.
Earl:
I heard that.
I heard that.- Literal statement of hearing (secondary)
Mae:
Did you hear that holler echo?
Did you hear that holler echo?
Earl:
Yep, I heard that.
Yep, I heard that.variations: that’s right, you said it, ain’t that the truth, mm-hmm (affirmation), exactly, right on, amen
★ Tone matters - in the affirming sense, "I heard that" usually comes with a nod, grin, or drawn-out emphasis on "heard." ★
Origin and Etymology
The literal phrase "I heard that" shifted in Southern and Appalachian English to carry an emphatic meaning of agreement, similar to "amen" or "that’s right." This likely grew from conversational back-and-forth in church, work, and daily life.
Usage Notes
Still common in Appalachian and Southern speech. Outsiders may take it literally, but locals know it’s a way to back somebody up in conversation.
Say It Like a Southerner
Say it with emphasis on "heard": "I HEARD that."
Kin Topics
Related Pages
How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, August 26). I Heard That. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/i-heard-that
- MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "I Heard That." HillbillySlang.com, 26 Aug. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/i-heard-that.
- Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "I Heard That." HillbillySlang.com. August 26, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/i-heard-that.
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