innards

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "innards" means a person or animal’s insides - the internal organs, guts, or entrails. Sometimes it’s used playfully for feelings deep down inside.

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Hillbilly Dude Says...

You don't hear this one too much, but 'innards' can still be heard. Could be because the subject isn't an everyday one! And there is, of course, 'Mountain Dew - It'll Tickle Yore Innards!'

Pronunciation

[IN-urdz]

Meaning & Usage

- Internal Organs / Guts (noun)

Earl:

What’d you do with the hog innards?

Mae:

Fed some to the dogs, saved some for sausage casings.

Ruby:

That chili tore up my innards.

- Deep Inside / Feelings (figurative)

Estel:

I was laughin’ clean down to my innards.

other spellings: innards, in’ards, and inners

★ "Innards" can sound rough, but in Appalachian talk it’s everyday language. It can be about hog butchering, or just about your stomach acting up. ★

Origin

From "inward" meaning "inside," turned into the plural "innards." The word has been in English since the 1500s and stuck hard in rural and Southern dialects, especially around farming and food.

Notes

"Innards" is common in kitchen talk, hunting, and butchering. It also shows up metaphorically, like "tickled to my innards" or "hurts in my innards." You’ll hear it across Appalachia and the South.

Say It Like a Southerner

Starts like "in," then "erds" with a soft "d" - often said quick, like "inn-erds." Mountain speech keeps it short and plain.

Kin Topics

Kin Words, Stories and More

Common Questions

Is "innards" the same as "organs"?

Yes - it’s the folksy way of saying "internal organs" or "guts."

Do people still use "innards"?

Definitely, though it sounds more rural or old-fashioned.

Can it mean emotions?

Yes - "down to my innards" means deep inside, whether it’s laughter, joy, or pain.

Where is it most common?

In rural American speech, especially Appalachian and Southern communities.