Hen Apple
In Appalachian and Southern speech, a "hen apple" is a humorous nickname for a chicken egg. It reflects the region’s playful tradition of renaming everyday things.
#SouthernWords #Appalachia #Animals #OldTimers #Southern #FarmTalk
synonyms: chicken egg
Hillbilly Dude Says...
I think 'hen apples' is a good one, but it's mostly old timers these days. Hillbilly Dude Says...
I think 'hen apples' is a good one, but it's mostly old timers these days. Pronunciation
[HIN-app-ul]
/hɪn ˈæpəl/
/hɪn ˈæpəl/
Meaning & Usage
- A chicken egg (noun)
Mae:
How many eggs we got?
How many eggs we got?
Earl:
Half a dozen hen apples this mornin’.
Half a dozen hen apples this mornin’.★ "Hens lay eggs like apple trees bear fruit"-hence the folksy nickname "hen apples." Appalachian and Southern speech abounds with playful animal+food nicknames like this. ★
Origin and Etymology
Found in Appalachian dialect dictionaries as a regional name for a chicken egg. It reflects the area’s tradition of humorous renamings in everyday farm life.
Usage Notes
Still heard today among older speakers and in nostalgic writing about farm life. Outside the region it’s rarely recognized but easily understood from context.
Say It Like a Southerner
Say it natural: often "hin-appul" or "hin-apple" in Appalachian speech-lighter on the "e," a touch of nasalization.
Kin Topics
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How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, November 24). Hen Apple. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/hen-apple
- MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "Hen Apple." HillbillySlang.com, 24 Nov. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/hen-apple.
- Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "Hen Apple." HillbillySlang.com. November 24, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/hen-apple.
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Created by a true, actual, proper, real-life hillbilly, HillbillySlang is a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia but reaching across the world. Every slang word, saying, accent and story is gathered from first-hand experience and trusted sources. The goal: preserve authentic voices and share them with writers, learners, and culture lovers everywhere - with a little humor thrown in here and there. Read more...