Itty Bitty
Itty-bitty is a playful English expression meaning very small or tiny. Although commonly heard in the South, it began as a general American diminutive and is not a traditional Southern or Appalachian term.
synonyms: tiny, little bitty, miniature, teensy, small
Hillbilly Dude Says...
'Itty bitty' might be paired with 'teeny tiny' or 'teenincecy', depending on how little it is. Hillbilly Dude Says...
'Itty bitty' might be paired with 'teeny tiny' or 'teenincecy', depending on how little it is. Pronunciation
[IT-ee BIT-ee]
/ˈɪti ˈbɪti/
/ˈɪti ˈbɪti/
Meaning & Usage
- Very small; tiny
Mamaw:
Bring me that itty-bitty screwdriver.
Bring me that itty-bitty screwdriver.
Tess:
The one smaller than my pinky nail?
The one smaller than my pinky nail?variations: itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny, itty-bit, bitty
Origin
"Itty-bitty" developed in American English in the early 20th century, likely from playful reduplications like "itty-bit" and "itty." Diminutives of this style are common across English dialects and children’s speech.
Though widely used in the South, it does not appear in older Southern/Appalachian dialect sources as a uniquely regional term.
Verdict: Southernish. Sounds Southern to modern ears, but it’s national in origin and usage.
Notes
- Often used affectionately, especially when talking about kids, pets, tools, or portions.
- Common across all parts of the United States.
- Fits naturally into Southern speech patterns due to the region’s long use of playful reduplication.
- Not tied to older Appalachian dialect traditions.
Related Pages
How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, November 16). Itty Bitty. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southernish/itty-bitty
- MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "Itty Bitty." HillbillySlang.com, 16 Nov. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southernish/itty-bitty.
- Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "Itty Bitty." HillbillySlang.com. November 16, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southernish/itty-bitty.
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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...