Pure-T Cyarn

In Southern and Appalachian speech, "pure-T cyarn" means something downright nasty, rotten, or worthless. It joins "pure-T," an old Southern intensifier meaning "completely," with "cyarn," the dialect form of "carrion."

#SouthernSayings #Appalachia #DialectandGrammar #OldTimers #Southern

synonyms: filth, trash, rotten mess, foolishness, worthless stuff

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I've only read 'pure-T cyarn,' so I'm thinking it's more regional and old timers.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I've only read 'pure-T cyarn,' so I'm thinking it's more regional and old timers.

Pronunciation

[PYUR-tee KYARN]
/ˈpjʊɹ.ti kjɑːrn/

Meaning & Usage

- Something utterly foul or worthless (noun phrase)

Hazel:

What’s that smell in the truck bed?

Roy:

Left the bait in there three days - it’s pure-T cyarn now.

variations: pure-T carrion, pure-tee cyarn, pure-tee carn

Origin and Etymology

"Pure-T" is a Southern intensifier recorded since the early 1900s in expressions like "pure-T foolishness" and "pure-T crazy." "Cyarn," from "carrion," first meant decaying flesh and later came to describe anything foul or low-class. Together they form a vivid idiom meaning "absolutely nasty" or "utterly worthless," still heard in the rural South and Appalachia.

Usage Notes

Common in older and rural Southern speech, often delivered with humor or exaggeration.

Used for smells, people, or situations: "That stew was pure-T cyarn."
"Pure-T" also attaches to other words: "pure-T foolishness," "pure-T mess."
"Cyarn" alone can mean filth, trash, or mean-spirited behavior.

Kin Topics

Common Questions

What does "pure-T cyarn" mean?

It means completely nasty, worthless, or disgusting.

Where does "pure-T" come from?

It’s an old Southern way to say "utterly" or "completely," often added for emphasis.

What is "cyarn"?

The Southern pronunciation of "carrion," broadened to mean anything foul or low-quality.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, October 14). Pure-T Cyarn. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/pure-t-cyarn
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Pure-T Cyarn." HillbillySlang.com, 14 Oct. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/pure-t-cyarn.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Pure-T Cyarn." HillbillySlang.com. October 14, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/pure-t-cyarn.