airish
In Appalachian speech, "airish" means cool, breezy, or slightly chilly - often used to describe the weather.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
I've not heard 'airish' myself, so I'll have to assume it's regional. Pronunciation
[AIR-ish]
Meaning & Usage
- Cool or breezy (adjective)
Elmer:
Might want to grab a jacket - it’s a little airish out this mornin’.
Might want to grab a jacket - it’s a little airish out this mornin’.
Estel:
other spellings: cool, chilly, breezy, and brisk
★ "Airish" isn’t just cold - it’s the kind of cool that sneaks up on you, especially with a breeze. ★
Origin
Likely a regional variation of "airy," with the -ish ending making it descriptive. It appears in Southern and Appalachian dialect records going back to the 1800s.
Notes
Common in Appalachia and parts of the South, especially in rural communities. Usually used in casual conversation.