Git!

Git is the Southern and Appalachian way of saying "get" when you’re telling somebody - or usually an animal - to move along. It’s a sharp, familiar command that means "go on!" or "scram!"

#SouthernWords #Appalachia #Animals #Southern #FarmTalk

Hillbilly Dude Says...

In my experience, a man will use 'git' to run off animals, or keep somebody from tryin' to eat the pie off your plate.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

In my experience, a man will use 'git' to run off animals, or keep somebody from tryin' to eat the pie off your plate.

Pronunciation

[GEE-yut]
/ɡɪjət/

Meaning & Usage

- Command to Leave / Shoo (imperative)

Mamaw:

Git! You’re trackin’ mud in the kitchen!

Papaw:

Reckon she don’t mean maybe.

★ Always said quick and sharp - one syllable, clipped. Used with folks, critters, and varmints alike. "Git on outta here" is the full version. ★

Origin and Etymology

From "get," with the short "i" vowel that took hold in Southern and Scots-Irish speech patterns. The form appears in early Appalachian writing and oral tradition.

Usage Notes

Still common in rural Southern and Appalachian speech, especially when shooing animals or fussin’ lightly. Softer than cussin’, but firm enough to make the point.

Kin Topics

Common Questions

What does "git" mean?

It’s a quick, Southern way to say "get," meaning "go on" or "move along."

Who or what do you say it to?

Usually to animals or folks underfoot - "Git, dog!" or "Git on outta my way!"

Is it rude?

Not usually - tone decides everything. It can sound playful or stern, but it’s plain talk, not harsh.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, October 9). Git!. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/git
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Git!." HillbillySlang.com, 9 Oct. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/git.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Git!." HillbillySlang.com. October 9, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/git.

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