ago
Before now — back in the past from this moment.
Updated September 21, 2026
ago pronunciation
/uh-GO/
Meaning
Marks how far back something sits from today. Same basic job as mainstream English ("ten years ago"), but mountain talk often pairs it with a present-perfect feel ("it's been ten year ago") and skips the plural on the time word ("year ago," "mile ago" in older speech). Means previously, awhile back, before this.
How folks use it
- “That store burned down about twenty year ago.”
- “It's been a good while ago since we hunted that ridge.”
Origin and etymology
Standard English ago (from earlier forms meaning "gone by"). Southern Appalachian English keeps older counting habits with it — Michael Montgomery notes speakers using present perfect with ago ("that's been many years ago") as a local grammar pattern, not a new word. The sense stays "before now."
Frequently asked questions
Is ago different in Appalachian speech?
The meaning is the same. What stands out is how it teams up with verbs and number words — "it's been" plus "year ago" without the s.