blame
A polite stand-in for damn, as in "the blame thing."
Also called blamed.
Updated September 21, 2026
blame pronunciation
/BLAYM/
Meaning
Not the everyday verb about fault. In Southern and Appalachian talk, blame (and blamed) softens a curse. You say "the blame latch," "I'll be blamed," or "blame it" when you are irritated but not looking to cuss. Same family as dadgum and doggone.
How folks use it
- “Where'd I put that blame wrench?”
- “I'll be blamed if that old truck starts on the first try.”
Origin and etymology
American English has used blame and blamed as stand-ins for damn since the 1800s. The trick is swapping a softer word so you can vent without full profanity. It stuck longest in Southern and South Midland speech, where mild oaths stay common in rural talk.
Frequently asked questions
Does blame mean someone did something wrong?
Not in this sense. Here it is just emphasis, like saying dang or darn.