  Month of SundaysIn Appalachian and Southern speech, "a month of Sundays" means never, or at least not for a very long time. It’s an exaggerated way of saying something won’t happen anytime soon. Hillbilly Dude Says...  It doesn't come up often, but 'a month of Sundays' does sometimes - usually when referring to the last time you did something. Pronunciation[uh MUHNTH uhv SUHN-deez] Meaning & Usage- Never / Not Anytime Soon (idiom)
Mae:
Think he’ll get that field plowed?
Earl:
Not in a month of Sundays.
Ruby:
Would you eat frog legs?
Estel:
Not in a month of Sundays.other spellings: a month of Sundays, month of Sundays, and not in a month of Sundays ★ When someone says "not in a month of Sundays," don’t take it literally. It’s just a colorful way of saying "never" - though with a smile instead of bitterness. ★ OriginThe phrase goes back to at least the 18th century in Britain, where it was used humorously to mean a ridiculously long time. Appalachia carried it forward, using it in everyday talk and storytelling. Notes"A month of Sundays" is still recognized across the U.S., but in Appalachia it keeps a folksy edge. You’ll hear it in jokes, tall tales, and when someone wants to poke fun at how unlikely something is. Say It Like a SouthernerSay it plain: "a month of Sundays." Drawn out in a storyteller’s tone, it adds extra weight to the exaggeration. | About We are a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia, but wide as the world. Read more... |
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