Hear "Oil"in a Southern Accent
Us Southerners don’t always say oil like the unhillbillies. You’ll often hear it come out as uhl or even ol. It's one syllable, but - if you listen closely - it almost sounds like two syllables. Like uh-ol.
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.
Example Audio in Sentences
1) "Th' ain't 'nough oil in 'em beans." Translates to "There isn't enough oil in those beans."
2) "I bleeve somebody got hit with 'at pole cat oil last night." Translates to "Somebody was sprayed by a skunk last night."
Say It Like a Southerner
Say it slow, drop the "oi" diphthong, and lean into the single "uhl" sound. Repeat until it feels natural or matches our audio clip.
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.