big-ol

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "big-ol" is an emphatic way to describe something large, often with a playful or exaggerated tone.

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Hillbilly Dude Says...

If you're outnabout, you'll hear 'big-ol.'

Pronunciation

[BIG-ohl]

Meaning & Usage

- Very large (adjective)

Elmer:

Look at that big-ol catfish!

Estel:

Reckon it’d feed the whole family.

- Exaggerated emphasis (adjective)

Elmer:

She gave me a big-ol hug soon as I walked in.

Estel:

Ain’t nothin’ wrong with that.

other spellings: big ol, big-ole, big ole, and

★ If someone calls you a "big-ol mess," it’s probably said with a grin. ★

Origin

Likely a regional intensifier formed by pairing "big" with a drawn-out "old," used for emphasis rather than literal age. This construction appears in many Southern and Appalachian expressions.

Notes

"Big-ol" often carries warmth or humor, and the drawn-out vowel in "ol" can make it sound even more exaggerated. It’s flexible enough to describe anything from objects to people to ideas.

Kin Topics

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Common Questions

Does "big-ol" mean the same as "big old"?

Yes - "big-ol" is the phonetic spelling of how it’s said in Southern and Appalachian speech.

Is "big-ol" always about size?

Mostly, but it can also describe intensity or importance.

Can "big-ol" be negative?

It depends on context - "big-ol mess" can be affectionate teasing, or a mild complaint.