Dittun

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "dittun" is a dialect contraction of "doesn’t" or "doesn’t it/doesn’t he." It’s a natural slurred form heard in everyday conversation, especially among older speakers.

#SouthernWords #Appalachia #BlendedWords #Southern

synonyms: doesn’t, does not

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I'm not sure I've said 'doesn't' a single time in my life - it's always 'dittun.'

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I'm not sure I've said 'doesn't' a single time in my life - it's always 'dittun.'

Pronunciation

[DID-un] or [DUD-n]

Meaning & Usage

- Contraction of "doesn’t" (dialect verb form)

Mae:

He doesn’t like the pie?

Earl:

No - he dittun.

- Tag-question form of "doesn’t it/doesn’t he" (dialect)

Mae:

That car goes fast, dittun?

variations: dittin

★ "Dittun" (or "dudd’n") is a hallmark of Southern/Appalachian casual speech. It’s not a mistake but a natural contraction reflecting older sound patterns, just like "ittun" evolved from "it isn’t." ★

Origin and Etymology

Found in Appalachian and Southern dialect studies, this is a reduced form of "doesn’t" or "doesn’t it/he," illustrating how everyday speech simplifies sounds over time.

Usage Notes

Still heard among older Southerners and in rural communities. Outside the region it’s rare and usually recognized only from dialect writing or storytelling.

Say It Like a Southerner

Said plain: "dittun" or "dudd’n." Often in sentences like "He dittun like it" or "Runs fast, dittun?"

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Is "dittun" incorrect grammar?

It’s nonstandard but authentic dialect - a natural speech form, not a deliberate error.

Can it mean both "doesn’t" and "doesn’t it/he"?

Yes - context tells you which one.

Do people still say it today?

Yes - especially older Southerners and Appalachian speakers, though it’s fading among younger generations.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 20). Dittun. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/dittun
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Dittun." HillbillySlang.com, 20 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/dittun.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Dittun." HillbillySlang.com. September 20, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/dittun.