Oncet

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "oncet" is the regional way of saying "once." The extra "-t" on the end follows the same speech pattern as "twicet," "acrosst," and "clost."

#SouthernWords #Appalachia #OldTimers #Southern

Hillbilly Dude Says...

Somtimes I say 'once', and sometimes 'oncet.' Duttin seem to be any rhyme or reason to it.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

Somtimes I say 'once', and sometimes 'oncet.' Duttin seem to be any rhyme or reason to it.

Pronunciation

[WUNSST] or [WUNS-t]

Meaning & Usage

- One time (adverb)

Mae:

You ever rode a train?

Earl:

Only oncet, when I was a boy.

variations: once, one time, a single time, the one time, just once, that time

★ "Oncet" is almost always used in storytelling - folks saying where they’ve been, what they’ve done, or who they’ve seen that one time. ★

Origin and Etymology

From Old English *ān siþ* (one time). In Appalachian and Southern speech, the "-t" sound drifted in naturally, creating "oncet" as a stable regional form.

Usage Notes

Very common in Appalachian and Southern speech, especially among older generations. Rare outside these regions, where "once" is the standard form.

Say It Like a Southerner

Said plain: "wunst" or "wuns-t." The "-t" sound comes in quick at the end.

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Is "oncet" different from "once"?

No - it just means "once," with a regional "-t" ending.

Do people still use it today?

Yes - especially in Appalachia, though younger speakers may use it less.

Is it considered incorrect?

In formal English, yes. But in dialect, it’s authentic and natural.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 1). Oncet. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/oncet
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Oncet." HillbillySlang.com, 1 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/oncet.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Oncet." HillbillySlang.com. September 1, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/oncet.

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