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Hear "Supper"in a Southern Accent

Southerners usually say supper with a soft, relaxed vowel and an easy fall at the end. Instead of the sharper "SUP-per," it comes out as SUH-puhr /ˈsʌ.pɚ/, smooth and natural in everyday Southern speech.

#SouthernAccents  

Say It Like a Southerner

Play audio Start with a soft "suh," not a sharp "sup." Then let the ending drop into an easy "-puhr." The whole word should feel relaxed, not punched.

Related Pages

Common Questions

Why do Southerners say "supper" instead of "dinner"?
Traditionally, "dinner" was the midday meal and "supper" the evening meal - a pattern still alive across the South.
Is the vowel really "suh" and not "sup"?
Yes. The vowel is the relaxed Southern /ʌ/, which sounds softer than the tight "sup" used elsewhere.
Do Southerners ever pronounce the final "r" strongly?
Rarely. Most soften it into a gentle, low "-puhr."
Is this still common today?
Very. "Supper" remains a living, everyday word in Southern homes.

How to Cite This Page

  • APA (7th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, November 16). Supper. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southern-accent/supper
  • MLA (9th edition)
    "The Hillbilly Dude." "Supper." HillbillySlang.com, 16 Nov. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southern-accent/supper.
  • Chicago (17th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. "Supper." HillbillySlang.com. November 16, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southern-accent/supper.

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.

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