courting man
A suitor — or a fellow known for chasing girls.
Updated September 21, 2026
courting man pronunciation
/KORT-in man/
Meaning
In older Appalachian talk, a man doing the serious visiting and porch sitting that used to come before marriage. In some mouths it also means a ladies' man: somebody who fancies himself popular with the women. Context tells you if Mama means "her boyfriend" or "that roaming flirt."
How folks use it
- “She's got a courting man coming by after church.”
- “He fancies himself a courting man, but half the county has his number.”
Origin and etymology
From court, the old word for pursuing someone toward marriage. Rural Appalachia kept courting as the name for supervised romantic visits. Courting man shows up in regional speech (including DARE notes for West Virginia) for a suitor or a man forever on the hunt.
Frequently asked questions
Is a courting man just a boyfriend?
Sometimes yes. Sometimes it means a man who courts a lot of women. Listen for the smile or the side-eye.