Dadgummit!

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "dadgummit" is an exclamation of frustration or surprise - a softer stand-in for harsher curse words.

#SouthernSayings #Appalachia #Southern #Exclamations #Euphemisms

Hillbilly Dude Says...

Yep: you can still hear 'dadgummit!' these days.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

Yep: you can still hear 'dadgummit!' these days.

Pronunciation

[DAD-guh-mit] or [DAG-guh-mit]

Meaning & Usage

- Exclamation of Frustration or Surprise (interjection)

Earl:

Dadgummit, I just dropped that wrench again!

Ruby:

Dadgummit, would you look at the size of that fish!

variations: dadgumit, daggumit, dadgumit, daggummit

★ If you hear "dadgummit," the speaker’s mad - but they’re keeping it family-friendly. It’s frustration without stepping over into real profanity. ★

Origin and Etymology

"Dadgum" (also "daggum") is a softened, polite form of something blasphemous. These minced oaths have been used in Appalachian and Southern English for centuries, letting folks vent without breaking social or religious taboos.

Usage Notes

"Dadgumit" is common in family talk, storytelling, and even in old TV shows and movies that wanted "country" flavor without real cussing. You’ll hear it in both Appalachian hollers and across the broader South.

Say It Like a Southerner

Play audio Start with "dad" (or "dag"), then say "guh" quick and soft, and finish with "mit." It tumbles out fast in one burst, often with a sharp tone of annoyance.

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Is "dadgummit" a curse word?

It’s a softened substitute - a way to say "dadgummit" instead of something harsher. Consider it mild frustration.

Do people still say it today?

Yes, though it has an old-time feel. You’ll hear it in Appalachia, the South, and even in playful speech nationwide.

Is it always negative?

Not always - it can be said in surprise as well as annoyance.

Are there other words like it?

Yes - "doggone," "consarn it," and "dagnabbit" fill the same role as old-fashioned minced oaths.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 8). Dadgummit!. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/dadgummit
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Dadgummit!." HillbillySlang.com, 8 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/dadgummit.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Dadgummit!." HillbillySlang.com. September 8, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/dadgummit.

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