Yon Side
Yon side is a Southern/Appalachian way to mean "that side" or "the far side," often of a road, hill, creek, or building. It’s the directional cousin of yonder, still heard in rural speech and storytelling.
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Hillbilly Dude Says...
I've heard my Dad use 'yon side' all my life, but it's more rare nowadays. Hillbilly Dude Says...
I've heard my Dad use 'yon side' all my life, but it's more rare nowadays. Pronunciation
[YON side]
/ˈjɑn ˌsaɪd/
/ˈjɑn ˌsaɪd/
Meaning & Usage
- That/Far Side (adjectival phrase)
Mamaw:
Cows are grazin’ on the yon side of the pasture.
Cows are grazin’ on the yon side of the pasture.
Papaw:
Reckon we’ll check that fence line after dinner.
Reckon we’ll check that fence line after dinner.- Across/Over There (adverbial use)
Estel:
Hardware store’s yon side of the square.
Hardware store’s yon side of the square.
Elmer:
Copy that - I’ll head around the courthouse.
Copy that - I’ll head around the courthouse.★ You’ll also hear yonder side in the same sense. Yon side is the shorter, snappier form. ★
Origin and Etymology
Rooted in older English (yon/yonder from Old English and Scots-Irish usage), the phrase persisted in Appalachian speech even as it faded elsewhere in the U.S.
Usage Notes
Common with landmarks: roads, ridges, creeks, barns. Natural pairings include "up yon side," "over yon side," or "on the yon side of X." Feels old-timey but remains clear in local talk.
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How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, October 7). Yon Side. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/yon-side
- MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "Yon Side." HillbillySlang.com, 7 Oct. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/yon-side.
- Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "Yon Side." HillbillySlang.com. October 7, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/yon-side.
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Created by a true, actual, proper, real-life hillbilly, HillbillySlang 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...