young’un
In Appalachian speech, "young’un" means a child, usually your own or somebody’s kid. It’s a clipped form of "young one," said fast and plain.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
I do say 'young'uns' sometimes, but you'd hear this more from old timers. Pronunciation
[YUNG-uhn]
Meaning & Usage
- A child (noun)
Mae:
That young’un of mine never sits still.
That young’un of mine never sits still.
Earl:
That’s how you know he’s healthy.
That’s how you know he’s healthy.- Affectionate reference (noun)
Ruby:
You bringin’ the young’uns to the singin’ tonight?
You bringin’ the young’uns to the singin’ tonight?
Estel:
Wouldn’t miss it - they love it.
Wouldn’t miss it - they love it.other spellings: young one, youngin, young ’un, child, and kid
★ "Young’un" can sound rough on the ear, but it’s usually said with affection. It’s how mountain folks talk about children without fussin’ with fancy words. ★
Origin
A contraction of "young one," with the final syllable reduced to "’un." Common in Scots-Irish dialects that influenced Appalachian speech, and kept alive in oral tradition.
Notes
"Young’un" is one of the most recognizable Appalachian terms, often used by grandparents and parents. The plural "young’uns" is equally common when talking about a brood of kids. Writers sometimes use it to flavor stories with regional authenticity.
Say It Like a Southerner
Say it quick: "YUNG-uhn." The "one" gets swallowed into "’un," turning "young one" into "young’un."