Hillbilly Slang

Authentic sayings, folk stories, and mountain wisdom.

allow ▶
◀ airish

akin

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "akin" means like, similar to, or of the same kind. It can also mean related, but folks often use it more broadly for likeness.

#SouthernWords   #Appalachia   #Measurements   #OldTimers   #Southern

Hillbilly Dude Says...
I use 'akin' sometimes, but I'd say it's mainly old timers. 

Pronunciation

[uh-KIN]

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Meaning & Usage

- Similar to or like (adjective)

Mae:
How’s it taste?
Earl:
It’s akin to what Mama used to fix.

- Related to (adjective, less common sense)

Mae:
Y’all kin?
Earl:
Somewhat - we’re akin through Granny’s side.
variations: similar to, like, related to, this feels akin to last winter, that pie’s akin to Granny’s recipe, akin to a brother
★ "Akin" is often used in rural speech to mean "like" or "similar to," not just blood kin. It sounds a little old-fashioned outside the South, but it’s still natural in Appalachian talk. ★

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Common Questions

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Hillbilly Slang is a collection of real Appalachian and Southern sayings, expressions, and stories - with authentic audio and cultural history so you can hear them said the way they were meant to be.
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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...
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