In Southern and Appalachian speech, reckon means to suppose, think, or believe - sometimes softly ("I guess"), and other times firmly ("You reckon right"). The meaning shifts with tone and inflection, ranging from casual agreement to absolute certainty.
'Reckon' is definitely somethin' you'd hear down th'local Walmarks.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
'Reckon' is definitely somethin' you'd hear down th'local Walmarks.
Pronunciation
[REH-kun]
/ˈrɛk.ən/
Meaning & Usage
- To guess or suppose (verb)
I guess so
Elmer:
He ever comin' back?
Estel:
Well. I reckon.
- To think or believe (verb)
Do you think...?
Elmer:
Reckon he'll be real mad if he does?
Estel:
Aww, hard t'say.
- To be certain or confident (verb)
No doubt about it
Elmer:
An’ I reckon somebody’s gonna leave here with a pump knot on their head.
Estel:
You got that right.
variations: recken, reckin
★ The slower and softer "I reckon" sounds, the more uncertain it is. Say it quick and flat - "I reckon." - and you’re sure as sunrise. ★
Origin and Etymology
From Middle English reknen and Old English gerecenian, meaning "to explain" or "to relate." The meaning shifted to "suppose" and "believe" in British English, and settlers carried that sense to the American South. It became a defining part of Southern and Appalachian speech, holding on long after it faded from most of the U.S.
Usage Notes
"Reckon" is one of the most flexible words in Appalachian talk - it can mean "I guess," "I think," or "I know" depending entirely on tone and context. It bridges casual agreement and calm certainty better than almost any other word.
"I reckon so." - mild agreement or polite uncertainty.
"You reckon?" - curious or skeptical question.
"I reckon not." - firm but gentle refusal.
"Well, I reckon that’s that." - resigned conclusion.
Yes - it comes from older British English, where it once meant "to think" or "to calculate." It stayed common in the South while fading from most American speech.
Why do Southerners say "I reckon"?
It’s an inherited turn of phrase that stuck. It feels natural, flexible, and fits both easygoing talk and serious agreement.
Does it ever mean "calculate"?
Yes - especially in older or formal speech, as in "I reckon the bill’s about twenty dollars."
Is "reckon" still used today?
Absolutely. You’ll hear it in small towns, on front porches, and anywhere the drawl still runs deep.
How to Cite This Page
APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, November 8). Reckon. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/reckon/
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Reckon." HillbillySlang.com, 8 Nov. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/reckon/.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Reckon." HillbillySlang.com. November 8, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/reckon/.
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'Reckon' is definitely somethin' you'd hear down th'local