trade
To do regular business at a store, or to work a craft for a living.
Also called tradin', shop, deal with.
Updated September 24, 2026
trade pronunciation
/TRAYD/
Meaning
In Appalachian and rural Southern talk, trade often means where you shop and who you deal with. "I trade at Johnson's" means that store gets your groceries and your loyalty. Saying you will not trade with somebody is a cold snub. The word also covers your line of work (plumbing is his trade) and plain old swapping goods. Country stores once ran on barter, so trading stuck as everyday shopping talk.
How folks use it
- “You still trade at Johnson's Market?”
- “Plumbing's his trade. Always has been.”
Origin and etymology
Old English trade meant a path or course, then business and exchange. Appalachian families kept "trade at" for regular dealings with a store long after cash replaced eggs-and-butter barter. Appalachia Bare lists tradin' as grocery shopping in regional quizzes.
Frequently asked questions
Does trade always mean barter?
Not anymore. Around here it usually means where you buy your goods, even when you pay cash.