In Southern and Appalachian speech, calling someone a "mouth" means they’re sassy, gossipy, or talking in a way that’s aggravating or disrespectful. It’s a clipped, regional sense of the everyday word.
synonyms: big talker, gossip, backtalker, loudmouth
Hillbilly Dude Says...
Oh I use 'mouth' all the time. I have as long as I can remember, and we did growin' up. I'm exactly sure if it's regional or just in my family.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
Oh I use 'mouth' all the time. I have as long as I can remember, and we did growin' up. I'm exactly sure if it's regional or just in my family.
Pronunciation
[MOWTH] /maʊθ/
Meaning & Usage
- Body part (noun, standard)
Literal meaning
Clara:
He opened his mouth to take a bite of cornbread.
- Sassy or aggravating talker (noun, Southern/Appalachian)
Dialectal use
Elmer:
That boy’s a real mouth, always cussin’ and carryin’ on.
Origin and Etymology
From the standard English noun mouth. In Southern and Appalachian usage, the word broadened to describe a person who "runs their mouth," especially someone gossiping, talking back, or speaking rudely.
Usage Notes
Mouth in this sense is distinct from the national phrase "big mouth." In the South/Appalachia, just plain mouth is enough.
Often used to describe kids who sass their elders, or adults who gossip and cuss.
Closely related expressions: "run your mouth," "he’s got a mouth on him," and "big mouth."
In Southern and Appalachian speech, it means they’re sassy, disrespectful, or talk too much - not just that they have the body part.
Is this common outside the South?
Not really. Outside the South, you’ll usually hear "big mouth." The clipped form "mouth" is much more Southern/Appalachian.
Can it mean gossiping?
Yes. A "mouth" can be someone spreading tales, cussin’, or just talking when they shouldn’t.
How to Cite This Page
APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, October 2). Mouth. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/mouth
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Mouth." HillbillySlang.com, 2 Oct. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/mouth.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Mouth." HillbillySlang.com. October 2, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/mouth.
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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...
Oh I use 'mouth' all the time. I have as long as I can remember, and we did growin' up. I'm exactly sure if it's regional or just in my family. 
