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mirror Play audio

Us Southerners don’t always say mirror like the unhillbillies. You’ll often hear it shortened to meer or even murrrrrr. Play the clip to hear how it sounds in real Southern speech, then - if you're up for a challenge - practice it yourself with our tips and sentences.

Example Audio in Sentences

1) I forgot I's nekkid 'til I walked by 'at dang mirror.

2) Can you stop fixin' your hair in that mirror and just c'mon?

Say It Like a Southerner

Play audio Say it slow, drop the second syllable, and lean into the ‘meer’ sound. Repeat until it feels natural or matches our audio clip.

Kin Words, Stories and More

Common Questions

How do Southerners usually pronounce "mirror"?
Many shorten it to "meer" or "mirr," sometimes dropping the middle syllable entirely.
Is this pronunciation used all over the South?
It varies. Appalachian and Deep South regions tend to show the strongest shift.
How can I practice saying "mirror" in a Southern accent?
Listen to our audio clip, and then repeat several times, focusing on the ‘meer’ sound.
Why do Southerners drop syllables in words like "mirror"?
It’s partly rhythm and partly vowel shifts passed down through regional speech patterns.
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