Us Southerners don’t always say going with the same crisp sound as the unhillbillies. You’ll often hear it as goin’ - dropping the "g" and softening the final syllable. Play the clip to hear how it sounds in real Southern speech, then - if you're up for a challenge - practice it yourself with our tips and sentences.
Most drop the "g," saying "goin’," and often add a softer or elongated vowel sound.
Is this pronunciation used all over the South?
Yes, dropping the "g" is a classic feature of Southern and Appalachian speech, though the vowel sound varies by region.
How can I practice saying "going" in a Southern accent?
Listen to our audio clip and practice saying "goin’" with the dropped "g" until it feels natural.
Why do Southerners drop the "g" in words like "going"?
It’s a long-standing feature of Southern speech, part of the region’s rhythm and vowel patterns passed down over generations.
How to Cite This Page
APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 16). Going. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southern-accent/going
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Going." HillbillySlang.com, 16 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southern-accent/going.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Going." HillbillySlang.com. September 16, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southern-accent/going.
Regional Note
Southern 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.
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...
Listen to our audio clip a few times, focusing on the dropped "g" at the end of "goin’," then repeat until it feels natural or matches our audio clip.