I’m A-Comin’

"I’m a-comin’" (sometimes written "I’m a-coming") is the Appalachian and Southern way of saying "I’m coming." The "a-" prefix is a hallmark of mountain speech, adding rhythm and emphasis to action words.

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Hillbilly Dude Says...

I say 'I’m a-comin’!' daily to my litter of kids. And you'll still hear it around here it when you go to town.

Pronunciation

[ah KUM-in]

Meaning & Usage

- I’m on my way (saying)

Mae:

You about ready?

Earl:

I’m a-comin’, just gotta put my boots on.

variations: I’m coming, I’m on my way, hold on, coming right now, I’m a-goin’, I’m a-headin’

★ The "a-" prefix in Appalachian speech comes from older English. It shows up in verbs like "a-comin’," "a-goin’," "a-workin’," and "a-singin’," giving the talk its own cadence. ★

Origin

The "a-" prefix traces back to Old English and Scots-Irish influence, where it marked ongoing action. While standard English dropped it, Appalachian and Southern speech kept it alive in everyday talk.

Notes

Still common in playful or emphatic speech across Appalachia and the South. Often shouted in response when someone’s hollerin’ for you to hurry up.

Say It Like a Southerner

Let it roll together: "I’m a-comin’." Stress on "comin’."

Kin Topics

Kin Words, Stories and More

Common Questions

Why the "a-" in "a-comin’"?

It’s an old English feature showing ongoing action, kept alive in Appalachian speech.

Do people still say it today?

Yes, though often in playful or folksy settings.

Is it only Appalachia?

Strongest in Appalachia and the rural South, but found in other older English dialects too.

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