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Got a Mouth on Him

In Southern and Appalachian speech, "got a mouth on him" means someone talks in ways they shouldn’t - whether it’s cussin’, sassin’, or runnin’ their mouth too much. It’s a colorful scolding phrase used by parents, neighbors, and old-timers.

#SouthernSayings   #Appalachia   #PeopleandRelationships   #Southern   #ScoldingandTeasing   #BodyandHealth   #Euphemisms

Hillbilly Dude Says...
Oh we all know a few fellers 'got a mouth on him' - and that's what most of us would say. 
Hillbilly Dude Says...
Oh we all know a few fellers 'got a mouth on him' - and that's what most of us would say. 

Pronunciation

[GOT uh MOWTH on um]

Meaning & Usage

- Using foul language (verb phrase, figurative)

Mae:
Listen at him carryin’ on.
Earl:
Yep, he’s got a mouth on him.

- Backtalk or sass (verb phrase, figurative)

Mae:
Don’t you roll your eyes at me.
Earl:
That girl’s got a mouth on her.

- Gossiping or telling too much (verb phrase, figurative)

Mae:
How’d word get out so fast?
Earl:
That feller’s got a mouth on him - can’t keep nothin’ quiet.
variations: got a mouth on her
★ This saying can mean different kinds of "talkin’ wrong" - cussin’, sassin’, or gossipin’. Context makes it clear which one’s meant. ★

Origin and Etymology

From the plain English word "mouth," meaning speech. In Southern and Appalachian usage, the phrase "got a mouth on him" took shape as a scolding way of saying someone’s talk is out of line.

Usage Notes

Still widely used in the South and Appalachia, especially among parents and old-timers. Less common outside the region, where folks usually say "mouthy" or "big mouth" instead.

Say It Like a Southerner

Said plain: "got a mouth on ’im." Often softened to "got a mouth on ’er" when talking about girls.

Kin Topics

Related Pages

Common Questions

Does it always mean cussin’?
No - it can also mean sass, gossip, or talkin’ too much.
Is it just Southern?
The idea is understood everywhere, but the phrase itself is strongest in Southern and Appalachian talk.
Do people still say it today?
Yes - though often by older folks, parents, or anyone fussin’ at a mouthy kid.

How to Cite This Page

  • APA (7th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 18). Got a Mouth on Him. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/got-a-mouth-on-him
  • MLA (9th edition)
    "The Hillbilly Dude." "Got a Mouth on Him." HillbillySlang.com, 18 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/got-a-mouth-on-him.
  • Chicago (17th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. "Got a Mouth on Him." HillbillySlang.com. September 18, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/got-a-mouth-on-him.
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