Sigogglin

In Appalachian speech, "sigogglin" (sometimes sigoggling) means crooked, askew, or off-balance. It’s used for buildings, furniture, or anything that’s not straight or level.

#SouthernWords #Appalachia #Southern

Hillbilly Dude Says...

We use 'sigogglin' for something crooked, slantin’, leanin’ like it might fall. This is one I can remember my Momma sayin.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

We use 'sigogglin' for something crooked, slantin’, leanin’ like it might fall. This is one I can remember my Momma sayin.

Pronunciation

[SIH-gog-lin]

Meaning & Usage

- Crooked, askew (adjective)

Mae:

That fence is all sigogglin after the storm.

Earl:

Reckon it’ll take a day to set it straight.

variations: sigogglin’, cattywampus, catawampus, crooked, askew

★ If something’s "sigogglin," it isn’t just a little crooked - it’s leaning bad enough that folks notice. Think barns ready to fall or chairs that wobble when you sit. ★

Origin and Etymology

"Sigogglin" is pure Appalachian dialect, probably a playful alteration of words like "goggling" (meaning askew or awry). It’s been recorded in mountain speech since at least the 19th century, passed down through oral tradition.

Usage Notes

Still heard in rural Appalachia, especially among older speakers. Younger folks may not use it daily, but many recognize it as a colorful mountainism.

Say It Like a Southerner

Play audio Say it loose: "sig-gog-lin." First syllable soft ("sih"), then let the rest roll off your tongue.

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Is "sigogglin" the same as "cattywampus"?

Close - both mean crooked, but "sigogglin" is more Appalachian, while "cattywampus" shows up across the South and Midwest.

Can it describe people?

Rarely - it’s almost always used for objects or buildings, not personalities.

Is it still used today?

Yes, though it’s less common than it once was. Many Appalachian families keep it alive as part of their heritage speech.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 22). Sigogglin. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/sigogglin
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Sigogglin." HillbillySlang.com, 22 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/sigogglin.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Sigogglin." HillbillySlang.com. September 22, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/sigogglin.

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