this'un

this'un pronunciation

/THIS-un/

Meaning

Spoken Southern and Appalachian form of "this one." The "one" shrinks to "'un," same family as that'un, which'un, and young'un. You hear it when folks are picking between tools, pups, biscuits, or stories. Smoky Mountain English lists this'un and this here'un right beside regular this.

How folks use it

• “You want this'un or that'un?”
• “This'un here's the spare tire that still holds air.”

Origin and etymology

Natural shortening of "this one" in speech, written as this'un or this'n in dialect. Appalachian English often sticks "'un" on pronouns and adjectives (young'un, big'un). Documented in Smoky Mountain English grammar alongside that'un and this here'un.

Frequently asked questions