If you were born and raised in West Virginia, you are guaranteed to have several words that you use, maybe daily, that only West Virginians understand. These words have been passed down from our mamaws and papaws over the years. They are words that will most likely always be part of our culture. We say them without hesitation and just expect the person we are talking to understand.

These words may sound strange to some, but they are part of our history, culture and traditions.

  1. Book Read

Flickr Walt Stone Burner
If someone is referred to as Book Read that means that they are well educated.

  1. Crick

Facebook Shoulder and Arm Pain
Crick is a stiff or sore neck. “I have a crick in my neck.”

  1. Haint

Facebook Visit Jefferson County WV
Haint is used to refer to a ghost or haunted places.

  1. Kin

Flickr Randen Pederson
Kin is used to say that one related to someone. “He is his kin.”

  1. Poke

Flickr Jerica cat
In West Virginia if you hear the word poke one is referring to a grocery bag, not jabbing someone with your finger.

  1. Polecat

Flickr Boviate A polecat is what many West Virginians call a skunk.

  1. Sit a spell

Facebook Dan Mathews
Spell can mean two things in West Virginia. It can mean to stay a while. “I’ll visit for a spell.” It can also mean feeling dizzy. “I stood up to quick and took a spell.”

  1. Reckon

Flickr thellr
When someone says reckon they mean that they guess. “I reckon that you are right.”

  1. Y’all

Flickr Project Healing Waters Fly We’ve all used this one at one point in our lives. Y’all refers to everyone. “Y’all want to go fishing?”

  1. Minner

Flickr Joe Naylor
Lots of West Virginians still use minner instead of minnow when talking about small creek fish often used as fishing bait.

  1. Wasper

Flickr Blair Gannon
Wasper is what many West Virginians call wasps.

Did I miss your favorite West Virginia word? If so, share it with me in the comment section.

Flickr Walt Stone Burner

If someone is referred to as Book Read that means that they are well educated.

Facebook Shoulder and Arm Pain

Crick is a stiff or sore neck. “I have a crick in my neck.”

Facebook Visit Jefferson County WV

Haint is used to refer to a ghost or haunted places.

Flickr Randen Pederson

Kin is used to say that one related to someone. “He is his kin.”

Flickr Jerica cat

In West Virginia if you hear the word poke one is referring to a grocery bag, not jabbing someone with your finger.

Flickr Boviate

A polecat is what many West Virginians call a skunk.

Facebook Dan Mathews

Spell can mean two things in West Virginia. It can mean to stay a while. “I’ll visit for a spell.” It can also mean feeling dizzy. “I stood up to quick and took a spell.”

Flickr thellr

When someone says reckon they mean that they guess. “I reckon that you are right.”

Flickr Project Healing Waters Fly

We’ve all used this one at one point in our lives. Y’all refers to everyone. “Y’all want to go fishing?”

Flickr Joe Naylor

Lots of West Virginians still use minner instead of minnow when talking about small creek fish often used as fishing bait.

Flickr Blair Gannon

Wasper is what many West Virginians call wasps.

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