little bitty

In Appalachian and Southern talk, "little bitty" means very small or tiny. It’s an affectionate, down-home way of describing size or amount, often with a hint of humor.

#SouthernWords #Appalachia #Southern

Hillbilly Dude Says...

It’s rarely just little, it’s gotta be 'a little bitty ol' thang.'

Pronunciation

[LID-uhl BIT-ee]

Meaning & Usage

- Very small / tiny (adjective)

Mae:

That’s the runt of the litter.

Earl:

Ain’t he just a little bitty feller?

other spellings: itty bitty, teeny tiny, wee little, tee-nine-cy, and smidgen

★ "Little bitty" is often used with affection - for babies, critters, or small portions. It’s less about measurement and more about painting a picture. ★

Origin

"Bitty" comes from "bit," meaning a small amount. Doubling it with "little" gave extra emphasis. The form shows up in 19th-century American English and stuck hard in Appalachian and Southern speech.

Notes

Still common today, especially in rural and Southern communities. Country music and popular culture have kept it alive - Alan Jackson’s 1996 song "Little Bitty" made the phrase familiar nationwide. A favorite way of saying it in Appalachia is "a little bitty ol’ thang," especially when talking about a child, critter, or anything small and endearing.

Say It Like a Southerner

Say it quick and clipped: "liddle bitty." The double diminutive makes something small sound even smaller - and cuter.

Kin Topics

Kin Words, Stories and More

Common Questions

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

Pretty much - both mean very small, though "little bitty" feels more down-home and Appalachian.

Is it used for people, too?

Yes - especially for babies and kids: "a little bitty baby."

Is it still used today?

Absolutely. It’s a staple of Appalachian and Southern talk, and still widely heard across the U.S.

What about "little bitty ol’ thang"?

That’s just a playful variant - often said with affection about babies, animals, or anything tiny and cute.

Where did "bitty" come from?

It’s from "bit," meaning a small piece. Doubling it makes the word feel more playful and emphatic.