still

In Appalachian speech, a "still" is the equipment used to make moonshine, usually hidden deep in the woods or a holler to avoid the revenuers.

#SouthernWords #Appalachia

Pronunciation

[STIL]

Meaning & Usage

- Apparatus for distilling liquor (noun)

Elmer:

Reckon the still’s runnin’ hot today.

Estel:

Better keep that worm cooled down.

- Remain in place (verb)

Elmer:

You still workin’ on that fence?

Estel:

Yep, nearly done.

other spellings: moonshine still, liquor still, stillhouse, still pot, and

★ If you find a still in the woods, best leave it be - unless you want company from the revenuer. ★

Origin

From Old English "stillan" meaning "to distill" or "to drip." In the Appalachian moonshine sense, it refers to the entire setup used for making liquor, typically including a boiler, a worm (coil), and a condenser.

Notes

"Still" in this context almost always means illegal liquor-making equipment unless specified otherwise. Stills were often hidden far from the homeplace, near a water source for cooling.

Kin Topics

Appalachia

Kin Words, Stories and More

Common Questions

What’s in a moonshine still?

A pot or boiler to heat the mash, a coil or worm to cool the vapor, and a container to collect the liquor.

Why were stills hidden in the woods?

To avoid being found by revenuers and to keep the strong smell of cooking mash away from the house.

Are stills legal today?

Owning one can be legal, but distilling alcohol without the proper license is not.

What’s the difference between a still and a stillhouse?

A still is the equipment; a stillhouse is the building or shed where it’s set up.