   Nekkid as a JaybirdIn Southern and Appalachian speech, "nekkid as a jaybird" means completely naked. It’s a colorful simile that compares bare skin to the featherless look of a baby bird. #SouthernSayings #Appalachia #Animals #People&Relationships #Southern Hillbilly Dude Says...  If you hear somebody say 'nekkid', nine times outta ten it'll come out 'nekkid as a jaybird.' Pronunciation[NEK-id az uh JAY-burd] Meaning & Usage- Completely naked (adjective phrase, figurative)
Mae:
They had on any clothes?
Earl:
Nope - nekkid as a jaybird.other spellings: naked as a jaybird ★ Nobody knows exactly why jaybirds got picked, but folks likely meant a baby bird without feathers. It’s one of the South’s favorite ways of saying "completely naked." ★ OriginThe phrase dates back to the 1800s. Early Americans often compared bareness to animals. "Nekkid as a jaybird" stuck in the South and Appalachia, with "jaybird" standing in for a skinny, featherless fledgling. Over time, it became a fixed folksy expression. NotesStill common in Southern and Appalachian talk, especially among older generations. Recognized elsewhere, but outside the South it often sounds quaint or comical. Say It Like a SouthernerSaid plain: "nek-id as a jay-burd." "Jaybird" often clipped to "jay-burd." | 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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