   Pretty as a PicturePretty as a pictureis a Southern and Appalachian phrase that means extremely beautiful or charming, often in a simple or natural way. It’s a warm, old-fashioned compliment still heard across the South. #SouthernSayings #Appalachia #PeopleandRelationships #OldTimers #Southern synonyms: beautiful, lovely, cute, fine, pretty as can be Hillbilly Dude Says...  You'll hear 'pretty as a picture' out in the country, but it's a little more rare than it used to be. Hillbilly Dude Says... You'll hear 'pretty as a picture' out in the country, but it's a little more rare than it used to be. Pronunciation[PUHR-dee az uh PIT-chuhr] /ˈpʊɚ.di æz ə ˈpɪt.tʃɚ/ Meaning & Usage- Extremely attractive or picturesque (phrase)
Eula Mae:
Look at that little girl in her Easter dress-pretty as a picture.
Mildred:
Ain’t she though? Her mama did her up right.variations: as pretty as a picture ★ If someone calls you pretty as a picture down South, they mean it from the heart. It’s not fancy talk-just pure admiration, wrapped in paint and poetry. ★ Origin and EtymologyThe phrase dates back to early 19th-century Britain, used to describe people or scenes that looked like they belonged in a painting. It spread to America by the mid-1800s and took firm root in the South, where poetic, image-rich speech stayed part of everyday language. While it faded elsewhere, Southerners kept it alive as a sincere, picturesque compliment. Usage NotesThough once widespread in English, pretty as a picture remains especially common in Southern and Appalachian speech. It’s used for people, places, or even moments that seem too perfect for words-like a mountain sunrise or a baby dressed for Sunday church. | ...
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... |