Turned Up Missing

In Southern and Appalachian English, "turned up missing" means to be discovered absent or to have disappeared. It’s a folksy variation of "went missing," common in storytelling and casual speech.

#SouthernSayings #Appalachia #DialectandGrammar #Southern

synonyms: went missing, disappeared, vanished, absent

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I probably hear 'turned up missing' the most when somebody is describing something that can't be found. It's a common one down here.

Pronunciation

[TURNED UP MISS-in] /tɜrnd ʌp ˈmɪs.ɪŋ/

Meaning & Usage

- To be discovered absent or gone (idiom)

Elmer:

The dog’s collar done turned up missing after the storm.

Estel:

Check by the creek - that’s where he runs off to.

variations: come up missing, gone missing

★ "Turned up missing" flips the normal "turn up" positive expression on its head - it’s a classic Southernism for something that vanished. ★

Origin

Likely evolved from mainstream "turn up" meaning "appear," with the ironic twist "turned up missing" to signal "found to be gone." Documented throughout the 20th century in Southern/Appalachian newspapers, oral histories, and conversation.

Notes

Common across Appalachia and the rural South; much rarer elsewhere.
Often used about objects ("the wrench turned up missing") or people ("he turned up missing after the dance").
Compare to "come up missing" and mainstream "went missing" - same meaning, different flavor.
Tag under Dialect and Grammar for its distinctive construction.

Kin Topics

Kin Words, Stories and More

Common Questions

Does "turned up missing" mean the same as "went missing"?

Yes - but it’s a more Southern/Appalachian way of saying it.

Where is it used?

Throughout the South and Appalachia, especially in rural speech and older generations.

Is it still used today?

Yes - often in storytelling or informal contexts.

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