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Whileago

In Appalachian speech, "whileago" means "a while ago" - referring to something that happened recently. The words run together in casual mountain talk until they sound like one.

#SouthernWords   #Appalachia   #Time   #Southern

Hillbilly Dude Says...
You won't have to wait a month of sundays to hear 'whileago' 
Hillbilly Dude Says...
You won't have to wait a month of sundays to hear 'whileago' 

Pronunciation

[WILE-uh-go] or [WAL-uh-go]

Meaning & Usage

- Recently / Not Long Ago (adverb phrase)

Mae:
When’d you see him last?
Ruby:
Oh, just a whileago.
Earl:
You eat yet?
Estel:
Yeah, I et a biscuit whileago.
variations: awhileago, whileago, a while ago, while ago, whilago (dialect spelling)
★ "Whileago" is looser than a specific time. It just means "recently" - whether that’s five minutes ago or a few hours ago. ★

Origin and Etymology

From the phrase "a while ago," used in English for centuries. In Appalachian and Southern speech, the words blurred into one, creating the distinct local form "whileago."

Usage Notes

Common in Appalachian talk and rural Southern English. In writing, it’s usually spelled "a while ago," but "whileago" shows the true spoken sound. Younger speakers still use it, keeping the old rhythm alive.

Say It Like a Southerner

Say "a while ago" fast, and the "a" drops out. In mountain speech, it blends into one word: "whileago."

Kin Topics

Related Pages

Common Questions

Does "whileago" mean the same as "a while ago"?
Yes - it’s just the Appalachian way of saying it.
How recent is "whileago"?
It’s vague - could be minutes, hours, or even earlier in the day.
Do people spell it as one word?
Rarely in formal writing, but in dialect writing you’ll see "whileago" or "whilago."
Is it still used today?
Absolutely - you’ll hear it in everyday Appalachian and Southern speech.

How to Cite This Page

  • APA (7th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, August 21). Whileago. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/whileago
  • MLA (9th edition)
    "The Hillbilly Dude." "Whileago." HillbillySlang.com, 21 Aug. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/whileago.
  • Chicago (17th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. "Whileago." HillbillySlang.com. August 21, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/whileago.
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