outnabout

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "outnabout" means being away from home - out running errands, visiting, or just not around.

Pronunciation

[OUT-n-uh-bout]

Elmer:

You seen Estel today?

Clara:

Nope, he’s outnabout.

Elmer:

Where’s your mama?

Clara:

Outnabout - probably pickin’ up groceries and stoppin’ by the post office.

other spellings: out and about, out ’n’ about, and out-n-about

★ If someone’s outnabout, you probably won’t catch ’em sittin’ still - they’re on the move. ★

A contracted form of "out and about," found in rural Southern and Appalachian dialects, often run together in quick speech.

Usually informal - describes someone being out for a variety of reasons, from social visits to chores.

Is "outnabout" only Southern?

No, but the run-together pronunciation is especially common in the South and Appalachia.

Does it mean traveling far?

Not necessarily - it can mean anywhere away from home, even just around town.