Favor
In Southern and Appalachian English, "favor" means to resemble someone in appearance or manner - especially a relative. It’s the regional equivalent of "take after."
#SouthernWords #Appalachia #PeopleandRelationships #Southern
synonyms: take after, resemble, look like, act like
Hillbilly Dude Says...
I've heard 'favors his daddy' all my life, and it's still common down here. Hillbilly Dude Says...
I've heard 'favors his daddy' all my life, and it's still common down here. Pronunciation
[FAY-vur] /ˈfeɪ.vɚ/
Meaning & Usage
- To resemble someone in looks or behavior (verb)
Elmer:
That boy sure favors his daddy.
That boy sure favors his daddy.
Estel:
Yep - got his eyes and his grin too.
Yep - got his eyes and his grin too.variations: favors, favoring
★ Think of "favor" as the Southern way to say "take after." It’s about likeness, not permission or kindness. ★
Origin and Etymology
From older English "favor" meaning "to resemble," preserved in Southern and Appalachian speech. This usage appears in 19th-century American literature and oral histories throughout the South.
Usage Notes
- Common across Appalachia and the rural South; less common in mainstream American English today but instantly recognizable regionally.
- Often used about family resemblance but can also describe mannerisms - "She favors her mama’s way of talking."
- Contrast with mainstream "take after" - this is the regional equivalent.