Redneck slang, the R words
30 redneck slang words that start with R. Open one for the pronunciation, the meaning, and a short origin.
racket
A loud, bothersome noise or commotion.
raggedy
Worn out, torn up, or looking rough.
ramps
Wild mountain onions with a strong garlic bite, dug in early spring.
rapscallion
A rascal; a mischievous troublemaker, often said with a grin.
real
Very or really, used to juice up an adjective.
rear end
Your backside, said clean enough for church but sharp enough for a scolding.
reckon
Suppose or think — the Southern way to float an opinion.
red clay
The sticky iron-red dirt that marks a lot of Southern ground.
red-eye gravy
Thin gravy from country-ham drippings mixed with black coffee.
redbud winter
A cold snap in early spring when the redbud trees are blooming.
redneck
A rural Southern working-class label that can sting or stick as pride.
restrurnt
Country way of saying restaurant.
revenuer
The federal agent out to bust illegal stills and tax-dodging liquor.
right fine
Very good, or doing pretty well.
right quick
Very quickly — or just a minute, depending on the smile.
right smart
A good bit; quite a lot.
rightly
For sure or properly; often in "I don't rightly know."
rile
To irritate somebody until they get mad.
rimption
A whole lot; an abundance of something.
riz
Rose; the old past tense of rise.
roasting ears
Fresh corn on the cob, ready to eat.
round about
Approximately. Close enough without pulling out a ruler or a watch.
ruckus
A noisy fuss, fight, or general carrying-on.
ruination
Ruin or the thing that will wreck you, said with drama.
ruint
Ruined, spoiled, or messed up past saving.
run off
To leave sudden, take off, or chase somebody away.
run up on
To come across somebody or something unexpected, or to walk up on them sudden.
runner
Somebody who hauls illegal liquor (or anything else that needs to move fast and quiet).
rurnt
Ruined. Spoiled past fixing.
ruther
Rather; the way country folks say they'd prefer.