  Quit That Lollygaggin’In Appalachian and Southern talk, "quit that lollygaggin’" means stop wasting time, dawdling, or fooling around. It’s a colorful scolding phrase aimed at anyone dragging their feet instead of working. Hillbilly Dude Says...  If I was takin' my time when I shouldn't be, Mom would say 'quit that lollygaggin' - and I say the same in my family. Pronunciation[kwit yur LAH-lee-gag-in] Meaning & Usage- Stop wasting time (verb phrase)
Mae:
We’re gonna be late if you don’t quit your lollygaggin’!
Earl:
Awright, I’m comin’, hold your horses.- Stop fooling around (verb phrase)
Ruby:
Y’all quit your lollygaggin’ and stack that wood.
Estel:
We was just talkin’, but fine.other spellings: quit lollygaggin’, and quit your lollygaggin’ ★ "Lollygaggin’" always carries a scolding edge. It’s playful enough for kids, but sharp enough for grown folks who are wasting time. ★ OriginFirst recorded in the mid-1800s in American English, "lollygag" meant to dawdle or fool around. Its exact roots are uncertain, but it quickly became a favorite in Southern and Appalachian talk, especially in the form of a parental or boss’s rebuke. NotesYou’ll hear "quit your lollygaggin’" most often from parents, grandparents, or supervisors. It’s still used widely across the South, Appalachia, and rural America - sometimes with a grin, sometimes with a sting. Say It Like a SouthernerSay it snappy: "LAH-lee-gag-in." The final "g" drops off, and it rolls together quick, like a word meant to jolt somebody back into action. | 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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