varmints

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "varmints" means troublesome animals or pests - usually critters that sneak, steal, or tear things up. Sometimes it’s used playfully for people, too.

#SouthernWords #Appalachia #Animals #Southern

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I'd say I hear 'varmints' ever now and again. Mostly old timers.

Pronunciation

[VAR-mints]

Meaning & Usage

- Troublesome Animals / Pests (noun)

Mae:

Somethin’s tearin’ up the corn patch.

Earl:

Reckon it’s them dang varmints again.

Ruby:

Coyotes been howlin’ close by.

Estel:

Those varmints make the dogs bark all night.

- Playful Insult for People (noun)

Mae:

Them young’uns are a bunch of little varmints.

other spellings: varmints, varmint, vermin, and pests (related)

★ If you hear someone cussin’ about "varmints," it’s usually raccoons, foxes, possums, or mice - the kind of critters that steal food and make mischief. ★

Origin

From "vermin," used in English since the Middle Ages for pests. In Appalachian and Southern dialects, the word shifted in pronunciation to "varmint," which became the common rural form.

Notes

"Varmints" shows up often in Appalachian storytelling, farm talk, and even old Westerns. It usually means pesky animals, but it can double as a playful jab at mischievous kids or ornery folks.

Say It Like a Southerner

Say "ver-min" but drop it down to "var-mint." In mountain speech, it comes out quick and flat: "varmints."

Kin Topics

Kin Words, Stories and More

Common Questions

Is "varmints" just another word for "critters"?

Not exactly - "critters" can mean any animal, while "varmints" usually means pests or nuisances.

Is "varmints" a real word?

Yes - it’s recognized as an informal variant of "vermin."

Do people still use it today?

Definitely. You’ll hear it in Appalachia, the South, and anywhere folks talk about raccoons in the trash or foxes in the henhouse.

Can it apply to people?

Yes - usually as a playful insult, like calling kids "little varmints."