   Shoot Fire!In Appalachian and Southern speech, "shoot fire" is a colorful exclamation used to show surprise, disbelief, excitement, or mild frustration - a spicier cousin of "shoot." Hillbilly Dude Says...  It's diffult, when frustrated to make sure 'fire' comes out correctly when you yell 'shoot fire!' But it could happen! Pronunciation[shoo-uht fahr] Meaning & Usage- Express Surprise or Excitement (exclamation)
Earl:
Shoot fire! I didn’t think they’d ever finish that bridge.
Ruby:
Shoot fire, that pie’s good enough to win a ribbon.- Show Mild Frustration (exclamation)
Mae:
Shoot fire, I left my keys in the truck.other spellings: shoot fire, and shooot fire ★ Think of "shoot fire" as a dressed-up "shoot." It adds a little more punch but stays clean enough for church. ★ OriginLikely built on "shoot" as a euphemism for stronger words, with "fire" added for emphasis. The pairing gives the phrase a burst of imagery, possibly from old religious or frontier speech. NotesThe phrase is versatile - it can convey amazement, pleasure, irritation, or disbelief. Tone and body language make the meaning clear. Say It Like a SouthernerSay "shoot" quickly, almost "shoo-uht," then roll right into "fire" with a soft "fahr." The two words should run together a bit, like SHOO-uhtfahr. Tone can go up for excitement or down for exasperation - it’s all in the delivery. | 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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