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."

#Appalachia

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.

Earl:

I heard that.

- Literal statement of hearing (secondary)

Mae:

Did you hear that holler echo?

Earl:

Yep, I heard that.

other spellings: that’s right, you said it, ain’t that the truth, mm-hmm (affirmation), exactly, right on, and ``amen``

★ Tone matters - in the affirming sense, "I heard that" usually comes with a nod, grin, or drawn-out emphasis on "heard." ★

Origin

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.

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

Appalachia

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Common Questions

Does "I heard that" always mean agreement?

Not always - it can be literal, but in mountain talk it usually means "I agree."

Do people still use it today?

Yes, it’s still heard often in casual speech.

Is it unique to Appalachia?

Not only Appalachia - it shows up across the South, but it’s a familiar part of mountain conversation.

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