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I Got Half a Mind To

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "I got half a mind to" is a way of saying you’re tempted to do something, often as a warning, scolding, or idle threat.

#SouthernSayings   #Appalachia   #Southern

Hillbilly Dude Says...
If somebody says, 'I got half a mind to...' then it's really under consideration. Still in use down here. 
Hillbilly Dude Says...
If somebody says, 'I got half a mind to...' then it's really under consideration. Still in use down here. 

Pronunciation

[ahv got HAFF uh mind to]

Meaning & Usage

- Warning or scolding threat (saying)

Mae:
I got half a mind to march you right back outside.
Earl:
Yes ma’am, I’ll take my boots off.

- Playful or exaggerated temptation (saying)

Mae:
I got half a mind to buy every pie in this case.
Earl:
Wouldn’t shock me none if you did.
variations: I’m fixin’ to, I oughta, tempted to, I feel like, I could just", I swear I’ll"
★ When somebody says they’ve got "half a mind," it doesn’t mean they’ll surely do it - it’s often just a way to show they’re serious or fed up. ★

Origin and Etymology

The phrase comes from older English speech, meaning "I have some inclination." In Appalachia and the South, it took on a stronger tone, often tied to scolding or joking threats.

Usage Notes

Still common across Southern and Appalachian speech. Often used by parents and grandparents toward kids, but also playfully in everyday talk.

Say It Like a Southerner

Said with emphasis on "half." Drawn out slow if it’s a warning, quicker if it’s playful.

Kin Topics

Related Pages

Common Questions

Does "half a mind" mean someone’s not smart?
No - here it means they’re tempted or inclined to do something.
Is it unique to Appalachia?
Not unique, but especially common in Southern and Appalachian families.
Do people still use it today?
Yes - you’ll hear it in kitchens, workplaces, and joking threats everywhere.

How to Cite This Page

  • APA (7th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, August 30). I Got Half a Mind To. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/i-got-half-a-mind-to
  • MLA (9th edition)
    "The Hillbilly Dude." "I Got Half a Mind To." HillbillySlang.com, 30 Aug. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/i-got-half-a-mind-to.
  • Chicago (17th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. "I Got Half a Mind To." HillbillySlang.com. August 30, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/i-got-half-a-mind-to.
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