   Of a NightIn Appalachian and older rural English, "of a night" means "at night" or "during the night." This older British-style phrasing lingered in the mountains long after it faded elsewhere. #SouthernSayings #Appalachia #Time #DialectandGrammar #BlendedWords #Southern Hillbilly Dude Says...  You might hear somebody say, ‘it’s startin’ to get cold of a night’ now that it’s September. Hillbilly Dude Says... You might hear somebody say, ‘it’s startin’ to get cold of a night’ now that it’s September. Pronunciation[UH-vuh NITE] Meaning & Usage- During the night (adverbial phrase)
Mae:
Frost come in?
Earl:
Yep. Laid down heavy of a night.variations: of a night, o’ the night, in the night (dialect) ★ "Of a night" is a plain way of saying "during the night," but it lends a storybook or old-time feel, especially in weather talk or family tales. ★ Origin and EtymologyThe "of a ___" construction is centuries old in English (e.g., "of a Sunday"). While most modern English shifted to "in the night," Appalachia and parts of the rural South kept "of a night" alive in oral tradition. Usage NotesStill heard among older generations, especially in talk about weather, farming, or storytelling. Younger speakers often default to "at night" or "in the night." Using it adds an old-time flavor to a tale. Say It Like a SouthernerSay it soft and simple: "of a night." The "of a" is quick, almost "o’," while "night" carries the weight in the phrase. | ...
About 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... |