wuttin

In Appalachian speech, "wuttin" means "wasn’t" or "was not," often used in quick, casual conversation.

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Pronunciation

[WUT-in]

Meaning & Usage

- Was not / Wasn’t (verb phrase)

Elmer:

Wuttin me who left the gate open.

Estel:

Then who done it?

- Wasn’t about to (emphatic refusal)

Elmer:

Wuttin gonna pay that much for a mule.

Estel:

Reckon you’ll be walkin’, then.

other spellings: wasn’t, was not, wut’n, wutt’n, and

★ If someone says "Wuttin me," they’re denying it - but the grin might tell a different story. ★

Origin

A contracted form of "wasn’t" with the vowel reduced and the "s" sound dropped, reflecting the rhythm of Appalachian speech. Similar reductions occur in other rural English dialects.

Notes

"Wuttin" is usually heard in quick speech and often written only in phonetic transcriptions, storytelling, or dialogue to capture regional sound. The apostrophe is optional when written.

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Common Questions

Is "wuttin" a real word?

It’s not standard English, but it’s a common spoken form in Appalachian and Southern dialects.

Does "wuttin" always replace "wasn’t"?

Nearly always, though in casual speech it can also stand in for "was not" in emphatic statements.

How is "wuttin" pronounced?

The "s" sound is dropped, and the middle vowel is short and quick - closer to "wut-in" than "wahz-in."