   Of a Mornin'In Appalachian and older rural English, "of a mornin’" means "in the morning" or "during the morning hours." It’s an older British-style phrasing that lingered in the mountains. #SouthernSayings #Appalachia #German #Time #BlendedWords #Southern Hillbilly Dude Says...  Of a mornin’ is the most common of the ‘of a [time of day]’ terms in around here. Pronunciation[UH-vuh MOR-nin] Meaning & Usage- During the morning (adverbial phrase)
Elmer:
It’s been right frosty of a mornin’ lately.
Estel:
Yeah, but it warms up come midday.other spellings: of a morning, o’ the morning, in the morning (dialect) ★ "Of a mornin’" is more than just a clock time - it’s about the span and feel of the morning hours, often tied to weather, chores, or daily routine. It gives speech an old-time, storylike tone. ★ OriginThe "of a ___" construction is centuries old in English (e.g., "of a Sunday"). While most regions shifted to "on" or "in," Appalachia preserved it, echoing older British and Scots-Irish patterns brought over by settlers. NotesYou’ll hear "of a mornin’" mainly from older generations or in deliberate storytelling. Younger speakers tend to just say "in the morning." Using it adds an old-time flavor to a tale. Say It Like a SouthernerSay it smooth and flowing: "of a mornin’." The "of a" is quick, almost "o’," giving it that old-fashioned lilt. | ...
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