Had a Big Time

In Southern and Appalachian speech, had a big time means having a great time, enjoying yourself, or celebrating - a cheerful way of saying "we had a lot of fun."

#SouthernSayings #Appalachia #PeopleandRelationships #DialectandGrammar #Southern

synonyms: had a great time, had lots of fun, had a blast

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I used 'had a big time' often. And - in my experience - it's when you're really happy somebody had a good time, or you want somebody else to be happy. Like when a young'un really enjoys a present from Granny, you might tell hear, 'oh he'd had a big time with that thang.'

Hillbilly Dude Says...

Pronunciation

[HAD uh BIG TAHM] /ˈhæd ə bɪɡ taɪm/

Meaning & Usage

- To have a great time; enjoy oneself (saying/verb phrase)

Gracie:

Did y’all enjoy yourselves?

Clyde:

We sure did - had a big time!

variations: had a big time, have a big time, having a big time, you’ll have a big time

★ Southerners use "had a big time" instead of "had a great time." It’s a cheerful, nostalgic way of saying you had a lot of fun. ★

Origin and Etymology

This phrasing appears in Southern and Appalachian speech from at least the early 20th century, rooted in local newspapers, church bulletins, and family talk. While "big time" as an adverb is national, the construction "had a big time" (or "having a big time") is especially marked as Southern/Appalachian.

Usage Notes

Had a big time - the most common form ("We had a big time at the county fair.")
Have a big time - future or infinitive ("You’re gonna have a big time at the festival.")
Having a big time - present participle ("Looks like y’all are having a big time out there.")
We’re gonna have a big time - Southern way of anticipating fun, often used before an event.
Big time vs. "hit the big time" - the Southern usage means "great fun," not "achieve fame."

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Does "had a big time" mean the same as "had a great time"?

Yes - it’s the Southern/Appalachian way of saying it.

Is it used outside the South?

Rarely - people elsewhere overwhelmingly say "had a great time" or "had a blast."

Is it still used today?

Yes - it’s still common among Southerners, especially in small towns and older generations.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 25). Had a Big Time. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/had-a-big-time
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Had a Big Time." HillbillySlang.com, 25 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/had-a-big-time.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Had a Big Time." HillbillySlang.com. September 25, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/had-a-big-time.

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