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Hillbilly Dude Says...
Out in the country, please still say 'swaller. Like holler. 
Hillbilly Dude Says...
Out in the country, please still say 'swaller. Like holler. 

Pronunciation

[SWAH-ler]

Meaning & Usage

- To swallow food or drink (verb)

Mae:
Don’t swaller so fast, you’ll choke.
Earl:
I was thirsty as all get out.

- A gulp or sip (noun)

Mae:
Take a swaller of this sweet tea.
Earl:
Hits the spot.

- The bird "swallow" (noun)

Mae:
Look at them swallers swoopin’ low over the field.
Earl:
Means it’s gonna rain.
variations: swallow (verb), swallow (bird), gulp, sip, "take a swaller", barn swaller, chimney swaller
★ "Swaller" can mean to gulp something down or refer to the little birds darting through the sky. Context tells you which one’s meant. ★

Origin and Etymology

From "swallow." In Appalachian and Southern speech, the "-ow" vowel often flattens to "-ah" or "-er," producing "swaller." Applied both to the act of swallowing and the bird.

Usage Notes

Still common in Appalachia and the South. "Take a swaller" is everyday talk, while "barn swallers" or "chimney swallers" show how the bird sense lives on in rural life.

Say It Like a Southerner

The "-ow" in swallow shifts to "-ah," giving it a softer, rounder sound: "swah-ler."

Kin Topics

Related Pages

Common Questions

Does "swaller" mean something different from "swallow"?
No - it’s just the Appalachian/Southern way of saying it, whether for the bird or gulping something.
Is "swaller" used for both noun and verb?
Yes - you can "swaller" food, take a "swaller" of tea, or see "swallers" flying in the barn.
Do people still say it today?
Absolutely - especially in rural places, both the bird and the gulp sense are alive in daily talk.

How to Cite This Page

  • APA (7th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 18). Swaller. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/swaller
  • MLA (9th edition)
    "The Hillbilly Dude." "Swaller." HillbillySlang.com, 18 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/swaller.
  • Chicago (17th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. "Swaller." HillbillySlang.com. September 18, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/swaller.
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