skift of snow
A light dusting of snow, just enough to whiten the ground.
Also called skiff of snow, skift.
Updated September 24, 2026
skift of snow pronunciation
/SKIFT uhv snoh/
Meaning
A skift of snow is a thin coat, not a real accumulation. You wake up, the yard looks pale, and by noon it might already be gone. Mountain folks also say skiff. Same idea: barely enough to track a deer or make the road look slick.
How folks use it
- “There was just a skift of snow on the ridge this morning.”
- “Don't cancel school over a skift of snow like that.”
Origin and etymology
Brought over with Scots and Scotch-Irish speech. In Scots, skift or skiff meant a light shower or thin covering. It stuck hard in Appalachia and other inland regions for a light snowfall. Spelling wobbles between skift and skiff.
Frequently asked questions
Is it skift or skiff?
Both. Skift is common in Appalachian talk. Skiff shows up just as often in other places. Same thin layer of snow either way.