Of a Night
In Appalachian and older rural English, "of a night" means "at night" or "during the night." This older British-style phrasing lingered in the mountains long after it faded elsewhere.
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You might hear somebody say, ‘it’s startin’ to get cold of a night’ now that it’s September. You might hear somebody say, ‘it’s startin’ to get cold of a night’ now that it’s September. Pronunciation
Meaning & Usage
- During the night (adverbial phrase)
Frost come in?Yep. Laid down heavy of a night.Origin and Etymology
The "of a ___" construction is centuries old in English (e.g., "of a Sunday"). While most modern English shifted to "in the night," Appalachia and parts of the rural South kept "of a night" alive in oral tradition.
Usage Notes
Still heard among older generations, especially in talk about weather, farming, or storytelling. Younger speakers often default to "at night" or "in the night." Using it adds an old-time flavor to a tale.
Say It Like a Southerner
Say it soft and simple: "of a night." The "of a" is quick, almost "o’," while "night" carries the weight in the phrase.