feller

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "feller" is the local way of saying "fellow." It means a man, guy, or fellow person, often said with a bit of familiarity or humor.

#SouthernWords #Appalachia #PeopleandRelationships #Southern

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I'll use this one in everday speech. ""Whatnaworld is this feller doin'?""

Pronunciation

[FELL-ur]

Meaning & Usage

- Man / guy (noun)

Mae:

Who fixed your roof?

Earl:

Some feller from town.

- Familiar / friendly reference (noun)

Ruby:

That feller sure can pick a banjo.

Estel:

He’s a good ol’ feller, that’s for sure.

other spellings: fellow, guy, man, fella, and ol’ boy

★ "Feller" usually isn’t insulting - it’s folksy. It can be neutral ("some feller") or warm ("good ol’ feller"), depending on tone. ★

Origin

"Feller" comes directly from "fellow," a word dating back to Old English. In Appalachian and Southern speech, the final syllable shifted to "-er," creating the common local form.

Notes

"Feller" shows up all through Appalachian storytelling, songs, and everyday speech. It’s one of those words outsiders instantly recognize as "hillbilly talk," but to locals it’s just normal.

Say It Like a Southerner

Said plain: "feller." The "ow" in "fellow" softens down to "er," a common Appalachian shift in pronunciation.

Kin Topics

Kin Words, Stories and More

Common Questions

Is "feller" the same as "fellow"?

Yes - it’s just the Appalachian/Southern pronunciation.

Do people still say "feller"?

Absolutely. You’ll hear it in everyday talk, especially among older generations.

Is it ever insulting?

Usually no - it’s neutral or even friendly.

Is "feller" used outside Appalachia?

Yes - parts of the South and rural America use it too, though it’s strongest in the mountains.