hit

In Appalachian speech, "hit" often replaces "it" at the start of a sentence or when emphasizing a story.

#SouthernWords #Appalachia #OldTimers

Hillbilly Dude Says...

Using an old timer thing, but I do hear 'hit' in place of 'it' out in public.

Pronunciation

[HIT]

Meaning & Usage

- It (pronoun)

Elmer:

Hit came rollin' down the hill, dern near rolled over me!

Estel:

Well, I told you not to park the wagon up there.

other spellings: it

★ If someone starts a tale with "Hit"," you know you’re about to hear something worth listening to. ★

Origin

A survival of older English usage where "hit" was the unstressed form of "it," common in Middle English and preserved in some rural dialects, including Appalachian speech.

Notes

"Hit" is almost always used in place of "it" at the beginning of a sentence, especially in storytelling or when adding dramatic emphasis. You’re less likely to hear it in the middle of a sentence.

Kin Topics

Kin Words, Stories and More

Common Questions

Why do Appalachians say "hit" instead of "it"?

It’s a holdover from older forms of English where "hit" was the standard pronoun.

Is "hit" only used at the start of a sentence?

Nearly always, yes - it adds emphasis and rhythm to a story.

Do younger speakers still say "hit"?

Less often, but it still appears in storytelling, music, and among speakers who grew up hearing it.