Upside the Head

In Southern and Appalachian speech, upside the head means being struck on or along the side of the head - whether by a person, an animal, an object, or sheer bad luck - and is also used figuratively as a warning or playful exaggeration.

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Hillbilly Dude Says...

I'd say 'upside the head' has been a go-to of mine as long as I can remember - it’s a common one around here.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I'd say 'upside the head' has been a go-to of mine as long as I can remember - it’s a common one around here.

Pronunciation

[UP-sahd thuh HED]
/ˈʌp.saɪd ðə ˈhɛd/

Meaning & Usage

- A physical hit to the side of the head (verb phrase)

Mae:

You alright?

Earl:

That blame barn door come loose and smacked me upside the head.

Ruby:

A bird just flew outta that cedar tree.

Estel:

One of ’em hit me upside the head last week.

- A figurative threat or warning (idiomatic)

Mae:

Quit pesterin’ your sister.

Earl:

Boy, you keep on and you’ll get popped upside the head.

- Exaggerated expression for pain, shock, or frustration (figurative)

Ruby:

Why’s your head hurtin’?

Estel:

Feels like somethin’ knocked me right upside the head.

variations: upside his head, upside her head, upside your head, upside their head,

★ A swat "upside the head" ain’t a knockout blow - it’s that quick, sideways pop meant to straighten somebody out faster’n a sermon. ★

Origin and Etymology

"Upside" comes from older English meaning "on the side of" or "against," and by the mid-20th century the full phrase "upside the head" was firmly established in Southern and Appalachian speech. Its vividness and directional clarity helped it spread into broader American usage, though its strongest cultural home remains the rural South.

Usage Notes

Used for both literal and figurative hits. Tone determines everything:

literal - describing an object or animal striking someone
figurative threat - warning someone to behave
hyperbole - expressing pain, shock, or exasperation

Though recognized nationwide today, the phrase is historically strongest in Southern and Appalachian conversation, where it carries a mix of humor, exaggeration, and the memory of old-time corrective swats.

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Does "upside the head" always mean someone hit you?

No - it can be literal, figurative, or exaggerated for effect.

Is it uniquely Southern?

It originated and is strongest in Southern/Appalachian speech, though it’s understood across the U.S.

Is it always violent?

Not at all. Often it’s joking, metaphorical, or just describing an accident ("a limb caught me upside the head").

Can it describe pain or surprise?

Yes - "feels like I got knocked upside the head" is a common figurative use.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, November 14). Upside the Head. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/upside-the-head
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Upside the Head." HillbillySlang.com, 14 Nov. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/upside-the-head.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Upside the Head." HillbillySlang.com. November 14, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/upside-the-head.

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