Jeet Yet?
In Appalachian and Southern speech, "Jeet yet?" is a quick, friendly way of asking "Did you eat yet?" It’s a hallmark of relaxed, informal talk - often a greeting as much as a question.
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Hillbilly Dude Says...
'Jeet yet?' is something you'll hear out in the country for sure. Hillbilly Dude Says...
'Jeet yet?' is something you'll hear out in the country for sure. Pronunciation
[JEET-yet] (fast, blended)
Meaning & Usage
- Did you eat yet? (informal question)
Mae:
Jeet yet? There’s cornbread on the table.
Jeet yet? There’s cornbread on the table.
Earl:
Not yet, but I’m fixin’ to.
Not yet, but I’m fixin’ to.variations: did you eat yet, d’ya eat yet, jeetyet
★ "Jeet yet?" is as much about friendliness and hospitality as it is about food. In many Southern households it’s the first question you hear walking through the door. ★
Origin and Etymology
A classic example of elision-compressing words in fast speech. Chiefly South, South Midland, and Appalachian, with roots going back at least to the late 19th century in dialect writing.
Usage Notes
Still widely used in Southern and Appalachian talk, especially among older speakers. Outside the region it’s often recognized as a humorous or stereotypical rendering of rural speech but is rooted in genuine everyday language.
Say It Like a Southerner
Say it as one smooth word: "jeet-yet?" with no pause between. It’s the compressed form of "Did you eat yet?"
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How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 20). Jeet Yet?. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/jeet-yet
- MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "Jeet Yet?." HillbillySlang.com, 20 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/jeet-yet.
- Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "Jeet Yet?." HillbillySlang.com. September 20, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/jeet-yet.
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Created by a true, actual, proper, real-life hillbilly, HillbillySlang is a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia but reaching across the world. Every slang word, saying, accent and story is gathered from first-hand experience and trusted sources. The goal: preserve authentic voices and share them with writers, learners, and culture lovers everywhere - with a little humor thrown in here and there. Read more...