Itty Bitty

In Appalachian and Southern talk, "itty bitty" means very small or tiny. It’s a playful, childlike way of describing size or amount, often used with affection or humor.

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Hillbilly Dude Says...

'Itty bitty' might be paired with 'teeny tiny' or 'teenincecy', depending on how little it is.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

'Itty bitty' might be paired with 'teeny tiny' or 'teenincecy', depending on how little it is.

Pronunciation

[IT-ee BIT-ee]

Meaning & Usage

- Very small / tiny (adjective)

Mae:

Want some more cobbler?

Earl:

Just an itty bitty spoonful.

variations: teeny tiny, wee little, smidgen, tad, tee-nine-cy

★ "Itty bitty" is often used in playful exaggeration - folks may call something "itty bitty" even when it isn’t that small, just to sound cute or humorous. ★

Origin and Etymology

"Itty bitty" is a reduplication of "itty," a baby-talk form of "little." It dates back to at least the late 1800s in American English. In Appalachia and the South, it’s often said with warmth, especially around food, children, or small critters.

Usage Notes

Still common today in Appalachian and Southern speech, and widely understood across the U.S. It often carries affection, like talking about "an itty bitty baby" or "an itty bitty puppy."

Say It Like a Southerner

Say it light and bouncy: "itty bitty." The rhythm makes it sound almost like a nursery rhyme - which is part of why it stuck in everyday speech.

Kin Topics

Teeninecy

Common Questions

Is "itty bitty" the same as "tiny"?

Yes, but it’s more playful and informal.

Where does "itty" come from?

It’s a baby-talk shortening of "little," doubled up with "bitty" for extra emphasis.

Is "itty bitty" still used today?

Very much - in everyday talk, children’s books, songs, and family conversations.

How does it compare to "tee-nine-cy"?

Both mean very small, but "itty bitty" is more widespread, while "tee-nine-cy" feels more uniquely Appalachian.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, August 24). Itty Bitty. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/itty-bitty
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Itty Bitty." HillbillySlang.com, 24 Aug. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/itty-bitty.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Itty Bitty." HillbillySlang.com. August 24, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/itty-bitty.

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