Off-Kilter
Off-kilter is a Southernish term meaning not quite right, out of balance, or unsettled.
Though it blends smoothly into Southern speech, the expression itself did not originate in Southern or Appalachian dialect.
synonyms: off balance, unsettled, out of sorts, askew, out of whack, not quite right
Hillbilly Dude Says...
'Off-kilter’ or 'out of kilter' is one you'll hear - but I reckon you'll hear it everwhere! Hillbilly Dude Says...
'Off-kilter’ or 'out of kilter' is one you'll hear - but I reckon you'll hear it everwhere! Pronunciation
[awf KEE-uhl-tuhr]
/ˈɔf ˈki.əl tər/
/ˈɔf ˈki.əl tər/
Meaning & Usage
- Out of balance / not quite right
Hazel:
You okay? You look a little off-kilter today.
You okay? You look a little off-kilter today.
Derrick:
This table’s off-kilter - stick a napkin under that leg.
This table’s off-kilter - stick a napkin under that leg.variations: out of kilter
Origin
"Off-kilter" comes from older British and Scottish English, where "kilter" (also spelled "kelter") referred to good order or proper condition. By the 1800s, "off-kilter" meant out of order, off balance, or not functioning smoothly.
The term migrated into general American English and became widely used across the country. Its simple, clear imagery made it a natural fit for Southern conversation, but it is not a native Southern or Appalachian expression - it predates both regions linguistically and entered U.S. speech more broadly.
Verdict: Southernish. Fits Southern talk like it belongs there, yet its roots trace back to older British usage rather than true Southern soil.
Notes
- Used for both emotional states ("feeling off-kilter") and physical imbalance ("chair’s off-kilter").
- Its plain, folksy sound leads many to assume it’s Southern, though it appears nationwide.
- Common in storytelling, everyday speech, and even technical writing to describe something out of alignment.
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How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, November 22). Off-Kilter. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southernish/off-kilter
- MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "Off-Kilter." HillbillySlang.com, 22 Nov. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southernish/off-kilter.
- Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "Off-Kilter." HillbillySlang.com. November 22, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southernish/off-kilter.
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