   Hear "But"in a Southern AccentIn Southern speech, but often takes on a softer, rounder tone - closer to booh-uht /bʊʔt/ ~ /bʊ̈ət/ than "but." Sometimes it’s just a stretched vowel (booh-uht), and other times it nearly becomes two syllables (booh-uhht /bʊ̈əʔt/ ~ /bʊ̈ɪʔt/). Play the clip to hear both versions. VariationsA countrier version. /bʊ̈əʔt/ ~ /bʊ̈ɪʔt/ Say It Like a Southerner
Regional NoteSouthern accents vary widely from state to state and even holler to holler. The examples here reflect speech patterns common to rural Kentucky, Arkansas, Tennessee, western North Carolina, north Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas, and aren't meant to represent lowland or coastal "Deep South" varieties. Nor are the examples perfect - accents can be hyper-regional. They're provided for curious learners, actors and content creators, and ESL speakers who want a friendly introduction to authentic pronunciation. Learn more on the Southern Accent hub page. | ...
About 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... |
Start with a rounded "boo" sound, then let the vowel relax toward "uh." You can close it with a soft or even dropped "t." Don’t rush it - let it flow naturally, like you’re easing through the word.