   See Fit / Saw FitIn Appalachian and Southern speech, "see fit" (and its common past-tense form "saw fit") means to judge something proper, appropriate, or worth doing. It’s a holdover from older English that remains strong in rural talk. Hillbilly Dude Says...  You heard 'saw fit' in everday conversation in the south. Pronunciation[SEE fit] (present tense) / [SAW fit] (past tense) Meaning & Usage- To consider proper, appropriate, or necessary (verb phrase)
Mae:
He never saw fit to answer my letter.
Earl:
Well, he’ll see fit to soon enough.other spellings: saw fit ★ In legal and formal writing across the U.S. you’ll see "see fit." In everyday Southern/Appalachian speech you’ll often hear "saw fit" used as a set phrase. ★ OriginFrom older British English "see fit" meaning "judge fit or suitable." The expression appears in 17th-18th century texts and migrated to America with settlers. "Saw fit" became a rural past-tense form used as a fixed expression in Southern storytelling. NotesOutside the South, "see fit" appears mostly in formal contexts, while "saw fit" sounds quaint or old-fashioned. In Southern and Appalachian speech, "saw fit" is still common in everyday talk, especially among older generations. Say It Like a SouthernerSaid plain: "see fit" or "saw fit." In the South and Appalachia, "saw fit" is often heard as a fixed phrase. | Latest Accents 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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