haint
A ghost or restless spirit, in Southern and Appalachian talk.
Also called haunt, hant.
Updated September 24, 2026
haint pronunciation
/haynt/
Meaning
A haint is a haunt that stuck around: a ghost, restless spirit, or sometimes a meaner thing that bothers the living. Older mountain folks say haunt, haint, and hant for the same idea. Kids get told not to go near the old house because a haint lives there. On Lowcountry and Southern porches, pale "haint blue" ceilings come from the belief that spirits won't cross water or sky that color.
How folks use it
- “Granddaddy swore a haint walked that ridge after dark.”
- “They painted the porch ceiling haint blue so nothing evil would cross the threshold.”
Origin and etymology
Mostly a Southern and Appalachian pronunciation of haunt. American Heritage lists haint as chiefly Southern US. Appalachian speakers still use haunt/haint/hant side by side. The Gullah Geechee Lowcountry also uses haint for a restless spirit, which is why haint blue porch paint got famous as spirit ward-off paint.
Frequently asked questions
What is haint blue?
A soft blue or blue-green porch-ceiling paint meant to fool or block haints. The story is strongest in Gullah Geechee Lowcountry tradition, then spread across Southern porches.