’Til the Cows Come Home
In Appalachian and Southern speech - and in English worldwide - "’til the cows come home" means "for a very long time" or "forever." It’s an old rural idiom that fits naturally into Southern talk even though it began in Britain.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
This one is used all over the world, but you'll definitely hear '’til the cows come home' around here. Hillbilly Dude Says...
This one is used all over the world, but you'll definitely hear '’til the cows come home' around here. Pronunciation
[TILL thuh COWS come HOME]
Meaning & Usage
- For a very long time; indefinitely (idiom)
Mae:
You can ask him ’til the cows come home - he ain’t budging.
You can ask him ’til the cows come home - he ain’t budging.variations: till the cows come home, until the cows come home
★ This phrase comes from the old image of cows grazing in the pasture all day and coming home only at evening. Waiting "’til the cows come home" meant waiting until day’s end - then became "waiting forever." ★
Origin and Etymology
Documented in British English since the 1500s and in Scotland by the 1800s. Adopted widely in American English, especially in rural regions. Southerners embraced it naturally because of its farm imagery.
Usage Notes
Still widely used in the South but equally common in other English-speaking regions. It signals rural flavor more than uniquely Southern heritage.
Say It Like a Southerner
Said plain: "till the cows come home." In rural speech, "until" often shortens to "’til."
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Created by The Hillbilly Dude, this site is a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia but reaching across the world. Every slang word, saying, accent and story is gathered from first-hand experience and trusted sources. The goal: preserve authentic voices and share them with writers, learners, and culture lovers everywhere - with a little humor thrown in here and there. Read more...Slang, folklore, culture, and accent vary from place to place, even ridge to ridge - this is how I know it. Read the full disclaimer and terms of use • Privacy Policy
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