Lord Willin’ and the Creek Don’t RiseIn Appalachian and Southern speech, "Lord willing and the creek don’t rise" means "if all goes well," or "as long as nothing unforeseen stops me." It reflects both faith in God’s will and the reality of rural life, where a swollen creek could keep folks home. #SouthernSayings #Appalachia #Nature #Southern #FarmTalk #Proverbs Hillbilly Dude Says... Pronunciation[Lord WIL-in an’ the creek don’t RAHZ] Meaning & Usage- If all goes well; unless something prevents it (saying)
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variations: if the creek don’t rise ★ The "creek" here is the stream - not the Creek people. It’s about real-life floods cutting off hollers and valleys. ★ OriginDates to at least the 1800s in American rural speech. Tied to both Christian faith ("Lord willing") and the literal obstacle of swollen creeks in farming country. Appalachia kept it alive as a common farewell or promise. NotesStill common in Appalachian and Southern speech. Sometimes said playfully, sometimes with deep sincerity. The short form "if the creek don’t rise" is especially familiar in everyday talk. Say It Like a SouthernerSay it easy: "Lord willin’ an’ the creek don’t rise." Often shortened to just "if the creek don’t rise." | ...
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