git

In Appalachian speech, "git" is the common pronunciation of "get," used in everyday conversation for everything from fetching something to leaving quickly.

#SouthernWords

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

[GIT]

Meaning & Usage

- Obtain or fetch (verb)

Elmer:

Git me that hammer from the porch.

Estel:

Reckon it’s still out there.

- Become (verb)

Elmer:

It’s gittin’ cold out here.

Estel:

Let’s head inside.

- Leave quickly (verb)

Elmer:

You better git before the storm hits.

Estel:

Already on my way.

other spellings: get, gittin, gittin’, and

★ When someone says "Git!" to a dog or a kid, it’s not a suggestion - it’s an order. ★

Origin

From Old Norse "geta" via Middle English "geten," meaning to obtain or acquire. "Git" is a natural phonetic spelling of the way "get" is pronounced in much of the South and Appalachia.

Notes

"Git" appears in many fixed phrases in Appalachian speech, such as "git to work," "git on outta here," and "git along." The dropping or softening of the "e" vowel is typical in regional accents.

Kin Words, Stories and More

Rurnt

Common Questions

Is "git" just slang for "get"?

Yes - it’s the way "get" is pronounced in many Southern and Appalachian dialects.

Do people write "git" or just say it?

Mostly say it, though it’s sometimes written in storytelling, song lyrics, or for humor.

Does "git" have other meanings?

In British English, "git" can mean an unpleasant person - but that’s unrelated to the Appalachian use.