  Raisin’ CainIn Appalachian and Southern speech, "raising Cain" means making trouble, causing a ruckus, or behaving rowdily. It comes from the biblical story of Cain, who killed his brother Abel, and has been used in American slang for over 150 years. Pronunciation[RAY-zin CAYN] Meaning & Usage- To cause trouble or make a disturbance (verb phrase)
Mae:
 What’s all that noise?
Earl:
Just the young’uns raisin’ Cain near the rides.- To act up or behave wildly (verb phrase)
Mae:
Them boys been raisin’ Cain all afternoon.other spellings: making trouble, stirring it up, and making a scene ★ "Raisin’ Cain" is a catch-all phrase - it can mean anything from harmless mischief to real rowdiness, depending on the tone and setting. ★ OriginFrom the biblical Cain, who committed the first murder. By the mid-1800s, Americans were using "raise Cain" as slang for raising hell or causing trouble. It stuck especially strong in Southern and Appalachian speech. NotesStill common in Appalachia and the South. Recognized everywhere in the U.S., but outside the region it sounds old-fashioned or colorful rather than everyday. Say It Like a SouthernerSaid plain: "ray-zin’ cayn." The "g" in "raising" is usually dropped. | 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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