   Straight as a Row of CornIn Southern and Appalachian speech, "straight as a row of corn" means perfectly straight, upright, or lined up neatly-just like rows of corn in a well-tended field. Hillbilly Dude Says...  'Straight as a row of corn' is one that has variations depending on the region. And may be a little more old timers. Hillbilly Dude Says... 'Straight as a row of corn' is one that has variations depending on the region. And may be a little more old timers. Pronunciation[STRAYT as uh ROE uh CORN] /streɪt əz ə roʊ ə kɔːrn/ Meaning & Usage- Perfectly upright posture (simile/adjective phrase)
Mae:
He’s got military posture.
Earl:
Yep-straight as a row of corn.- Neatly aligned objects or people (simile/adjective phrase)
Mae:
The teacher lined ’em up for a picture.
Earl:
They’re straight as rows of corn out there.variations: lined up like rows of corn, straight as an arrow, straight as a fence post, lined up like soldiers ★ In farm country, straight rows meant skill and pride. This simile draws on that everyday image to describe anything precisely aligned or standing tall. ★ Origin and EtymologyRecorded in Appalachian oral histories, Kentucky/Tennessee farm memoirs, and Southern dialect writing. Reflects the rural culture of row-crop farming where "straight rows" symbolized diligence and order. Usage NotesCommon in rural Southern/Appalachian speech but understandable anywhere. Outside the region it may sound folksy or poetic, but the imagery is clear. Say It Like a SouthernerSay it natural: "straight" often clips to "strayt"; "of" is usually "uh." "Corn" may sound like "carn." | ...
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... |
Slang and folklore change from place to place - this is how I know it. Read the full disclaimer and terms of use →
© Hillbilly Slang | Original audio and content not for reproduction or AI training without permission. Keeping the Mountains Talking 'Til The Cows Come Home