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Turned Up Missin’

In Southern and Appalachian English, "turned up missing" means to be discovered absent or to have disappeared. It’s a folksy variation of "went missing," common in storytelling and casual speech.

#SouthernSayings   #Appalachia   #DialectandGrammar   #Southern

synonyms: went missing, disappeared, vanished, absent

Pronunciation

[TURNED UP MISS-in] /tɜrnd ʌp ˈmɪs.ɪŋ/

Meaning & Usage

- To be discovered absent or gone (idiom)

Describing something that’s gone
Elmer:
The dog’s collar done turned up missing after the storm.

Estel:
Check by the creek - that’s where he runs off to.

variations: come up missing, gone missing
★ "Turned up missing" flips the normal "turn up" positive expression on its head - it’s a classic Southernism for something that vanished. ★

Origin and Etymology

Likely evolved from mainstream "turn up" meaning "appear," with the ironic twist "turned up missing" to signal "found to be gone." Documented throughout the 20th century in Southern/Appalachian newspapers, oral histories, and conversation.

Usage Notes

  • Common across Appalachia and the rural South; much rarer elsewhere.
  • Often used about objects ("the wrench turned up missing") or people ("he turned up missing after the dance").
  • Compare to "come up missing" and mainstream "went missing" - same meaning, different flavor.
  • Tag under Dialect and Grammar for its distinctive construction.

Kin Topics

Related Pages

Common Questions

Does "turned up missing" mean the same as "went missing"?
Yes - but it’s a more Southern/Appalachian way of saying it.
Where is it used?
Throughout the South and Appalachia, especially in rural speech and older generations.
Is it still used today?
Yes - often in storytelling or informal contexts.

How to Cite This Page

  • APA (7th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 27). Turned Up Missing. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/turned-up-missing
  • MLA (9th edition)
    "The Hillbilly Dude." "Turned Up Missing." HillbillySlang.com, 27 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/turned-up-missing.
  • Chicago (17th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. "Turned Up Missing." HillbillySlang.com. September 27, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/turned-up-missing.
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