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Off-Kilter

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "off-kilter" means crooked, unbalanced, or out of proper alignment. It can also describe people or situations that feel unsettled or "not right."

#SouthernWords   #Appalachia   #Southern

Hillbilly Dude Says...
Off-kilter is one of those everday terms. Hear it and use it all the time. 
Hillbilly Dude Says...
Off-kilter is one of those everday terms. Hear it and use it all the time. 

Pronunciation

[OFF-kil-ter]

Meaning & Usage

- Tilted, crooked (adjective)

Mae:
That railing’s off-kilter. Better fix it ‘fore someone leans on it.
Earl:
Reckon I’ll get the hammer.

- Unsettled, not right (adjective)

Mae:
Ever since the layoff, he’s been a little off-kilter.
Earl:
Yeah, he ain’t himself these days.
variations: askew, crooked, off balance, out of whack, not right
★ "Off-kilter" works both ways: it’s handy for wobbly furniture *and* for describing moods or situations that feel out of balance. ★

Origin and Etymology

From Scots-Irish English, where "kilter" meant good order or condition (1600s). Settlers carried it to Appalachia, where "off-kilter" stuck as a way to describe things not quite right.

Usage Notes

Still common in Appalachia and the South, but also widely recognized across America. It’s one of those mountain words with older European roots that became part of everyday speech.

Say It Like a Southerner

Say it straight: "off-kil-ter." Stress the first word, keep it even.

Kin Topics

Related Pages

Common Questions

Is "off-kilter" only Southern?
No - it’s used all over, but it’s also deeply rooted in Appalachian Scots-Irish heritage.
Can it describe people as well as things?
Yes - it’s used for furniture, buildings, moods, or even whole situations.
Is it the same as "sigogglin" or "cattywampus"?
Similar, but softer. "Sigogglin" and "cattywampus" feel more playful and regional, while "off-kilter" is plainer and more widely understood.

How to Cite This Page

  • APA (7th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, August 25). Off-Kilter. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/off-kilter
  • MLA (9th edition)
    "The Hillbilly Dude." "Off-Kilter." HillbillySlang.com, 25 Aug. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/off-kilter.
  • Chicago (17th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. "Off-Kilter." HillbillySlang.com. August 25, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/off-kilter.
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