Catch
In Southern and Appalachian speech, "catch" (often pronounced "ketch") means to grab, rope, corner, or secure something-especially livestock. It’s also used broadly for "get hold of" or "pick up."
synonyms: grab, rope, secure, round up
Hillbilly Dude Says...
Unfortunately, we're always talkin' about 'ketchin'' a cow or hog. Hillbilly Dude Says...
Unfortunately, we're always talkin' about 'ketchin'' a cow or hog. Pronunciation
[KETCH]
/kɛtʃ/ (dialectal) · [CATCH]
/kætʃ/ (standard)
/kɛtʃ/ (dialectal) · [CATCH]
/kætʃ/ (standard)
Meaning & Usage
- To rope, grab, or secure livestock (verb)
Mae:
Where’s Earl?
Where’s Earl?
Earl:
Out tryin’ to catch that stray heifer.
Out tryin’ to catch that stray heifer.- To get hold of or pick up (verb)
Mae:
How’d you get to town?
How’d you get to town?
Earl:
Just caught a ride with Billy.
Just caught a ride with Billy.variations: ketch
★ Southern/Appalachian speech kept the older English pronunciation "ketch" long after it faded elsewhere. You’ll hear "ketch a cow," "ketch a ride," or "ketch hold of it" in rural talk. ★
Origin and Etymology
From Old English "cæccan" (to catch). Especially common in the South and South Midland, the "ketch" pronunciation mirrors older English forms and has survived in rural speech.
Usage Notes
Still heard today in farm and family talk. "Catch" and "ketch" are interchangeable in meaning; the dialect form "ketch" signals Southern/Appalachian speech but is understood everywhere.
Say It Like a Southerner
Say it natural: "catch" becomes "ketch" in relaxed speech: "gonna ketch that calf," "ketch a ride."
Kin Topics
Related Pages
How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 23). Catch. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/catch
- MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "Catch." HillbillySlang.com, 23 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/catch.
- Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "Catch." HillbillySlang.com. September 23, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/catch.
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