Iller’n a Hornet
In Southern and Appalachian speech, "Iller’n a Hornet" is a colorful way of saying someone is very angry or ornery - similar to "mad as a hornet" but with the regional twist of "ill" meaning angry.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
The phrase 'iller’n a Hornet' is one that you'll hear from old timers out in the country. Hillbilly Dude Says...
The phrase 'iller’n a Hornet' is one that you'll hear from old timers out in the country. Pronunciation
[ILL-er’n a HOR-net] /ˈɪlɚn ə ˈhɔːrnɪt/
Meaning & Usage
- Extremely angry, irritable, or mean (simile)
Susie:
How’s your brother after that loss?
How’s your brother after that loss?
Ralph:
He’s iller’n a hornet.
He’s iller’n a hornet.variations: Ill as a Hornet, Mad as a Hornet, Meaner’n a Hornet, Iller than a Hornet
★ Hornets are famously aggressive if disturbed, so comparing someone’s temper to a hornet paints a vivid picture. Using "ill" instead of "mad" marks this as distinctly Southern/Appalachian. ★
Origin and Etymology
This saying grew out of rural Southern/Appalachian life, where hornets were a familiar threat and "ill" was commonly used to mean angry or cross. The compressed "’er’n" reflects the region’s speech patterns.
Usage Notes
Still widely heard in rural and small-town Southern/Appalachian speech. Outside the region "ill" meaning "angry" can confuse listeners, making this saying sound especially local or old-timey.
Say It Like a Southerner
Say it natural: "iller’n a hornet," with "than a" compressed into "’er’n." Sometimes said as "ill as a hornet."
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