Of a Mornin'

In Appalachian and older rural English, "of a morning" means "in the morning" or "during the morning hours." It’s an older British-style phrasing that lingered in the mountains.

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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.

variations: of a mornin'

★ "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. ★

Origin

The "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.

Notes

You’ll hear "of a morning" 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 Southerner

Say it smooth and flowing: "of a mornin’." The "of a" is quick, almost "o’," giving it that old-fashioned lilt.

Kin Topics

Kin Words, Stories and More

Common Questions

Is "of a morning" the same as "in the morning"?

Yes in meaning - but it carries a more old-fashioned, story-like tone.

Do people still say it today?

Yes, though mostly older folks or when telling stories.

Can it refer to the future?

Yes - "We’ll get to that of a morning" can mean "We’ll do it sometime tomorrow morning."

Where did the form come from?

It’s an older British construction brought to Appalachia by Scots-Irish settlers.

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