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.

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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?

Ralph:

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

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.

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."

Kin Topics

Kin Words, Stories and More

Common Questions

What does "ill" mean here?

In Southern/Appalachian speech it means angry, irritable, or mean-tempered.

Is this the same as "mad as a hornet"?

Very close - but "ill" adds a distinctly Southern/Appalachian flavor.

Can it describe animals too?

Yes - you might hear "that dog’s iller’n a hornet today."

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