Shine
In Appalachian and Southern speech, "shine" is a slang word for moonshine - unaged homemade whiskey, usually clear and strong. It’s short for "moonshine" and a staple of mountain talk.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
You'll definitely hear it called 'shine' around here. But not like anybody's ever had any. Hillbilly Dude Says...
You'll definitely hear it called 'shine' around here. But not like anybody's ever had any. Pronunciation
[SHYN]
Meaning & Usage
- Moonshine liquor (noun/dialect)
Mae:
What’s that?
What’s that?
Earl:
Homemade shine - smooth as can be.
Homemade shine - smooth as can be.- To refer generally to illicit or home-distilled alcohol (noun)
Mae:
He’s known for his shine up in those hills.
He’s known for his shine up in those hills.variations: moonshine
★ "Shine" is the shorthand that insiders use. "Moonshine" might be for tourists; "shine" is what the folks makin’ it or drinkin’ it actually say. ★
Origin and Etymology
From "moonshine," which itself referred to liquor made at night by the light of the moon. In Appalachian and Southern speech the first syllable was dropped to form "shine." Documented in regional songs, folklore, and bootlegging stories throughout the 20th century.
Usage Notes
Still widely used today - both in authentic mountain communities and in branding of legal craft distilleries. Recognized outside the South/Appalachia but still strongly associated with mountain culture.
Say It Like a Southerner
Said plain: "shine." Often with a descriptor: "white lightning shine," "apple pie shine."
Kin Topics
Related Pages
How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 12). Shine. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/shine
- MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "Shine." HillbillySlang.com, 12 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/shine.
- Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "Shine." HillbillySlang.com. September 12, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/shine.
advertisement...
Most Popular
About
Created by The Hillbilly Dude, this site 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...Slang, folklore, culture, and accent vary from place to place, even ridge to ridge - this is how I know it. Read the full disclaimer and terms of use • Privacy Policy
© Hillbilly Slang | Original audio and content not for reproduction or AI training without permission. Keeping the Mountains Talking 'Til The Cows Come Home