tail
To follow somebody close, often to see where they go.
Also called follow, trail.
Updated September 24, 2026
tail pronunciation
/TAYL/
Meaning
To stick behind someone and stay on their path. In rural Southern talk it shows up when dogs trail game, when a buddy follows your truck down a gravel road, or when you suspect the law is riding your bumper. Same idea as tagging along, just tighter and more watchful. As a noun, a tail can also mean the person doing the following.
How folks use it
- “I tailed that truck clear to the county line.”
- “Don't look back. I think somebody's been tailing us since the feed store.”
Origin and etymology
From the animal's trailing end, then stretched to mean staying right behind. English slang and crime talk used it for surveillance by the 1800s and early 1900s. Rural Southern speakers use it the same way, often with hunting and road talk in the mix. Separate from the common country use of tail for somebody's backside.
Frequently asked questions
Does tail always mean follow?
No. In country talk it also means backside, like "get your tail in here." Context tells you which.