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Jeet Yet?

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "Jeet yet?" is a quick, friendly way of asking "Did you eat yet?" It’s a hallmark of relaxed, informal talk - often a greeting as much as a question.

#SouthernSayings   #Appalachia   #PeopleandRelationships   #BlendedWords   #Southern   #BodyandHealth

Pronunciation

[JEET-yet] (fast, blended)

Meaning & Usage

- Did you eat yet? (informal question)

Hospitality
Mae:
Jeet yet? There’s cornbread on the table.

Earl:
Not yet, but I’m fixin’ to.

variations: did you eat yet, d’ya eat yet, jeetyet
★ "Jeet yet?" is as much about friendliness and hospitality as it is about food. In many Southern households it’s the first question you hear walking through the door. ★

Origin

A classic example of elision - compressing words in fast speech. Documented in the Dictionary of American Regional English as chiefly South, South Midland, and Appalachian. Its roots go back at least to the late 19th century in dialect writing.

Notes

Still widely used in Southern and Appalachian talk, especially among older speakers. Outside the region it’s often recognized as a humorous or stereotypical rendering of rural speech but is rooted in genuine everyday language.

Say It Like a Southerner

Say it as one smooth word: "jeet-yet?" with no pause between. It’s the compressed form of "Did you eat yet?"

Kin Topics

Kin Words, Stories and More

Common Questions

Does "Jeet yet?" literally mean "Did you eat yet?"
Yes - it’s just the fast-spoken form.
Do people still say this today?
Yes - especially in rural or family settings.
Is it unique to Appalachia?
Not unique but most common in Southern/Appalachian speech.
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Created by The Hillbilly Dude, this site is a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia but reaching across the world. Every slang word, saying, accent and story is gathered from first-hand experience and trusted sources. The goal: preserve authentic voices and share them with writers, learners, and culture lovers everywhere - with a little humor thrown in here and there. Read more...
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