In Southern and Appalachian speech, "naked as a jaybird" means completely naked. It’s a colorful simile that compares bare skin to the featherless look of a baby bird.
If you hear somebody say 'nekkid', nine times outta ten it'll come out 'nekkid as a jaybird.'
Hillbilly Dude Says...
If you hear somebody say 'nekkid', nine times outta ten it'll come out 'nekkid as a jaybird.'
Pronunciation
[NEK-id az uh JAY-burd]
Meaning & Usage
- Completely naked (adjective phrase, figurative)
At the creek
Mae:
They had on any clothes?
Earl:
Nope - nekkid as a jaybird.
variations: nekkid as a jaybird
★ Nobody knows exactly why jaybirds got picked, but folks likely meant a baby bird without feathers. It’s one of the South’s favorite ways of saying "completely naked." ★
Origin and Etymology
The phrase dates back to the 1800s. Early Americans often compared bareness to animals. "Naked as a jaybird" stuck in the South and Appalachia, with "jaybird" standing in for a skinny, featherless fledgling. Over time, it became a fixed folksy expression.
Usage Notes
Still common in Southern and Appalachian talk, especially among older generations. Recognized elsewhere, but outside the South it often sounds quaint or comical.
Say It Like a Southerner
Said plain: "nek-id as a jay-burd." "Jaybird" often clipped to "jay-burd."
Created by The Hillbilly Dude, this site 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...
If you hear somebody say 'nekkid', nine times outta ten it'll come out 'nekkid as a jaybird.'