dittun
That one, mashed into a quick mountain word.
Also called that'un, that'n, that one.
Updated September 21, 2026
dittun pronunciation
/DIT-un/
Meaning
A spoken shrink of that one, written dittun or more often that'un / that'n. You use it when you are pointing: this'un or dittun, grab dittun off the shelf. Same family as this'un and which'un. Fast talk, not fancy grammar class.
How folks use it
- “You want this'un or dittun?”
- “Hand me dittun wrench by the tire. The other'un's too big.”
Origin and etymology
Appalachian and Southern English stick 'un (from one) onto demonstratives: this'un, that'un, which'un. Smoky Mountain English notes list that'un for that one. Dittun is one spelling folks use when the phrase runs together in speech. Related 'un forms like young'un are old mountain staples.
Frequently asked questions
Is dittun the same as that'un?
Same idea. Different spellings for the spoken shrink of that one.