Dice
 
 
 
 
 
Next post.
Previous post.

Treed

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "treed" means chased up a tree or cornered. It comes from hunting talk, where dogs run a raccoon or other critter up a tree, but it’s also used figuratively to mean trapped or stuck.

#SouthernWords   #Appalachia   #Animals   #Southern

Hillbilly Dude Says...
Back in the holler, we get cats and coons 'treed' all the time. And that's what we call it - treed. 
Hillbilly Dude Says...
Back in the holler, we get cats and coons 'treed' all the time. And that's what we call it - treed. 

Pronunciation

[treed]

Meaning & Usage

- Chased up a tree (verb, past tense)

Mae:
Where’s the hounds?
Earl:
They got a coon treed in the holler.

- Caught or cornered (figurative use)

Mae:
Think he’ll wiggle out of that mess?
Earl:
Nope, he’s treed good and proper.
★ Though rooted in hunting, "treed" can apply to cats, dogs, or any critter chased up a tree - and to people in a jam, whether literal or figurative. ★

Origin and Etymology

From the verb "to tree," meaning to drive or chase into a tree. First used in the 14th century, but took on strong life in American hunting culture, especially in the South and Appalachia.

Usage Notes

Still very common in hunting circles. Widely understood in the South and Appalachia as both literal and figurative. Outside the region, people may know the word but mostly in the context of animals.

Say It Like a Southerner

Said plain: "treed." Short and sharp.

Kin Topics

Related Pages

Common Questions

Does "treed" only apply to coons?
No - cats, bears, and other critters can be treed too.
Is "treed" used outside the South?
Yes, but it’s especially strong in Southern/Appalachian hunting and storytelling.
Can it mean people?
Yes - figuratively, being treed means cornered or stuck with no way out.

How to Cite This Page

  • APA (7th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 5). Treed. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/treed
  • MLA (9th edition)
    "The Hillbilly Dude." "Treed." HillbillySlang.com, 5 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/treed.
  • Chicago (17th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. "Treed." HillbillySlang.com. September 5, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/treed.
advertisement...
Most Popular
Latest Accents
Latest Sayings
Latest Words
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