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Foller

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "foller" is the common pronunciation of "follow." It reflects the vowel shift where the "ow" sound flattens to "er."

#SouthernWords   #Appalachia   #Southern

Hillbilly Dude Says...
'Foller' is still alive and well out in the country, I hear it all the time around here. 
Hillbilly Dude Says...
'Foller' is still alive and well out in the country, I hear it all the time around here. 

Pronunciation

[FAW-ler] or [FOL-ler]

Meaning & Usage

- To go behind or accompany (verb)

Mae:
Y’all foller me and mind your step.

- To obey or heed (verb)

Earl:
He never did foller the doctor’s orders.
variations: follow, go with, come after, trail, shadow, tag along, stick with
★ Reckon a feller'd foller a man down the holler to get some minners for supper? ★

Origin and Etymology

From Old English *fōlgan* (to accompany). Over time it became "follow" in standard English. The Appalachian/Southern "foller" form reflects regional vowel changes, much like *holler* (hollow) and *yeller* (yellow).

Usage Notes

Very common in Appalachia and across the South. Rare outside these regions, where people stick to "follow."

Say It Like a Southerner

Said plain: "faw-ler" or "fol-ler." The "ow" in "follow" gets softened or dropped.

Kin Topics

Related Pages

Common Questions

Is "foller" a separate word?
No - it’s just the regional pronunciation of "follow."
Do people still say it today?
Yes - it’s still common in rural Appalachian and Southern speech.
Is it ever written this way?
Yes, in dialect writing, folk songs, or stories to capture the local sound.

How to Cite This Page

  • APA (7th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 1). Foller. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/foller
  • MLA (9th edition)
    "The Hillbilly Dude." "Foller." HillbillySlang.com, 1 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/foller.
  • Chicago (17th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. "Foller." HillbillySlang.com. September 1, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/foller.
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