Warsh
In Southern and Appalachian speech, "Warsh" means "wash" - a long-standing regional pronunciation rooted in older English dialects.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
I've heard 'warsh' from old timers, and regionally. Had some friends from Western NC, and they always said it that way. Hillbilly Dude Says...
I've heard 'warsh' from old timers, and regionally. Had some friends from Western NC, and they always said it that way. Pronunciation
[WARSH] /wɑrʃ/
Meaning & Usage
- To wash or clean (verb)
Maggie:
You done with the laundry?
You done with the laundry?
Earl:
Not yet - still gotta warsh the kids’ clothes.
Not yet - still gotta warsh the kids’ clothes.variations: Wash, Warshed (past tense form in dialect), Rinse, Clean
★ "Warsh" reflects a regional sound change called "intrusive r," where a speaker inserts an "r" between a vowel and a following "sh" or "wash"-type sound. This pronunciation survives in parts of Appalachia, the South, and the rural Midwest. ★
Origin and Etymology
Derived from older English dialects carried to the U.S. by settlers, especially Scots-Irish. The "r" insertion in "wash" ("warsh") persisted in rural Southern/Appalachian speech long after it disappeared from standard English.
Usage Notes
Still heard in rural Southern/Appalachian speech. Outside the region it’s recognized as a quaint or humorous pronunciation but instantly understood as "wash."
Say It Like a Southerner
Say it natural: "warsh" - often with an added "r" sound before the "sh." Some speakers also say "warshed" for the past tense ("I warshed the dishes").