  ’Til the Cows Come HomeIn 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. 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.other spellings: 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." ★ OriginDocumented 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. NotesStill 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 SouthernerSaid plain: "till the cows come home." In rural speech, "until" often shortens to "’til." | 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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