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Hoot

In Southern and Appalachian English, "hoot" often appears in expressions like "not give a hoot" or "not worth a hoot," meaning "not care at all" or "worthless."

#SouthernSayings   #Appalachia   #Southern

synonyms: not care, worthless, of no account

Pronunciation

[HOOT] /huːt/

Meaning & Usage

- Worthless or of no importance (idiom)

Showing indifference
Elmer:
He didn’t give a hoot for that cornbread.

Estel:
More for us then.

variations: not worth a hoot, not give a hoot
★ "Hoot" here isn’t about owls - it’s a folksy stand-in for "bit" or "whit." "Don’t give a hoot" = "don’t care at all." ★

Origin and Etymology

From 19th-century American English "hoot" meaning "shout" or "noise" (especially of an owl). "Not give a hoot" or "not worth a hoot" became folksy ways to say "worthless" or "of no concern." Widely preserved in Southern/Appalachian speech.

Usage Notes

  • Common across Appalachia and the rural South; recognized elsewhere but more folksy/old-timey outside the region.
  • Often used in negative or evaluative expressions ("don’t give a hoot," "not worth a hoot").
  • Tag under sayings and Dialect and Grammar as a classic folksy valuation phrase.

Kin Topics

Related Pages

Common Questions

Does "hoot" literally mean an owl call here?
No - it’s a figurative way to say "not even a little bit."
Where is it used?
Throughout the South and Appalachia, and recognized nationally as a folksy expression.
Is it still used today?
Yes - especially in humorous or nostalgic speech.

How to Cite This Page

  • APA (7th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 28). Hoot. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/hoot
  • MLA (9th edition)
    "The Hillbilly Dude." "Hoot." HillbillySlang.com, 28 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/hoot.
  • Chicago (17th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. "Hoot." HillbillySlang.com. September 28, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/hoot.
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