Cheer

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "cheer" is a dialect pronunciation of "chair." It reflects a vowel shift brought by Scots-Irish settlers and still heard in older rural talk.

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Hillbilly Dude Says...

I'd say you hear 'cheer' out in the country from old timers.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I'd say you hear 'cheer' out in the country from old timers.

Pronunciation

[CHEER]

Meaning & Usage

- Dialect pronunciation of "chair" (noun)

Mae:

Come on in - pull up a cheer.

Earl:

Thanks - I’ll set right here.

variations: chair

★ Spellings like "cheer" for "chair" appear in dialect writing to capture authentic Southern/Appalachian speech patterns. The meaning is the same - only the vowel changes. ★

Origin and Etymology

From Scots-Irish and older English vowel shifts carried into Appalachian and Southern English. Similar shifts affect words like "bear" → "bar" and "there" → "they-er."

Usage Notes

Still heard among older rural speakers. Outside the South, "cheer" is used only in dialect imitations or humorous writing.

Say It Like a Southerner

Said plain: "cheer" - like the word for happiness, but meaning "chair."

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Does "cheer" mean a different kind of chair?

No - it’s simply a dialect pronunciation of "chair."

Is it still used today?

Yes - mostly by older Southerners and in dialect-heavy storytelling.

Should I spell it "cheer" or "chair"?

Use "chair" for standard writing; "cheer" only to show dialect pronunciation.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 13). Cheer. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/cheer
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Cheer." HillbillySlang.com, 13 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/cheer.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Cheer." HillbillySlang.com. September 13, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/cheer.

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