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Of a Evenin’

In Southern and Appalachian speech, "Of a Evening" means "in the evening" - a regional time expression rooted in older English dialects.

#SouthernSayings   #Appalachia   #Time   #DialectandGrammar   #BlendedWords   #Southern

Pronunciation

[UHV a EEV-ning] /ʌv ə ˈiːvnɪn/

Meaning & Usage

- During the evening (time expression)

Everyday speech
Pearl:
When do y’all go walking?

Jeb:
Mostly of a evening after chores are done.

variations: In the Evening, At Nightfall, Come Evening, Of an Evening (older British form)
★ The "of a + time" construction (of a morning, of a night, of a Sunday) is a hallmark of Appalachian and Southern speech. It comes from older British dialect grammar where "of a" meant "during." ★

Origin and Etymology

From Middle and Early Modern English constructions using "of a" + time to mean "during" or "at." Carried to the American South and Appalachia by Scots-Irish and other British settlers, it persisted as a regionalism long after disappearing from standard English.

Usage Notes

Still widely heard in rural Southern/Appalachian speech, especially among older speakers. Outside the region it sounds quaint or old-fashioned but is easily understood as "in the evening."

Say It Like a Southerner

Say it natural: "of a evenin’" - dropping the "g" at the end, especially in rural speech.

Kin Topics

Related Pages

Common Questions

Does "of a evening" mean the same as "in the evening"?
Yes - it’s a regional way to say "in the evening."
Is it still used today?
Yes - though less common among younger speakers, it remains familiar in rural speech and storytelling.
Can it be used with other times?
Yes - "of a morning," "of a night," "of a Sunday," etc. are all part of the same pattern.

How to Cite This Page

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    The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, October 5). Of a Evening. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/of-a-evening
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  • Chicago (17th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. "Of a Evening." HillbillySlang.com. October 5, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/of-a-evening.
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