holler
A mountain valley, or a loud shout.
Also called hollow.
Updated September 24, 2026
holler pronunciation
/HAH-ler/
Meaning
In Appalachian talk, a holler is a hollow: a little sheltered valley between hills, often with a creek and a few houses up it. People say they live up the holler, or down in the holler. Same spelling also means to yell or call out. "Give me a holler" means get in touch. Both senses show up hard in mountain and rural Southern speech.
How folks use it
- “They live way up the holler past the old mill.”
- “If you need help unloading, just give me a holler.”
Origin and etymology
As a place word, holler is the Southern and Appalachian pronunciation of hollow (Old English holh, a hollow place). DARE ties that form chiefly to the South, South Midland, Appalachians, and Ozarks. As a shout, it comes from older English hollo / halloo, a call to get attention.
Frequently asked questions
Is a holler the same as a hollow?
Yes for the place sense. Holler is how a lot of mountain folks say and spell hollow when they mean that little valley.