Mr. Donnie, you made me cry. I lived in the mountains for 65 years and then moved to California. I am the only one left in my family and when you talked about "our language" it really touched me. So many people out here do not understand me when I talk and I have to explain myself many times. Yes we say taters, maters, holla, worsh and tars. My momma would use the phrase "con nipshon fit" and hiba foeby. I was scared of them both. I think I saw my daddy have a con nipshon fit once but that was because he was so mad he could just spit. Our language was understood by everyone in the mountain. I really miss the life I had even if it was hard. The young generation has no idea nor could survive if they were made to live like we did. But, we were happy and had lots of love. May God bless you Mr. Donnie for sharing your stories with us.

I’ve never been offended by someone calling me a hillbilly. I love being a hillbilly.

So many of my teachers, and other mentors I had as a child in rural Florida in the early to mid 60s were from Tennessee, Kentucky, the Carolinas, Virginia, etc. They were NOT dumb Hillbillies. They were educated and were wise beyond their formal university education and most were God fearing folk.💕I miss them.

My grandmother has been gone for 59 years, but if I were to hear her voice right now I would recognize it. Sometimes it aggravates me how when some people are trying to mimic someone that they consider to be of lesser intelligence that they use a southern accent.

My ancestors were Scottish. Growing up here in Alabama I've got a "Southern accent". But the three times I've visited Scotland it amazed me how similar our vocal dialects, speach patterns and cadences were. Many in the group l went with (not Southerners) couldn't understand half of what the Scottish were saying. I understood every word perfectly. Now I'm listening to your Grandma talk Donnie.... She sounds just like my Grandmama. It's makin me cry Don. Thank's for that.

One thing I miss is the old general stores. We would be haulin a load of pigs or steers to sell and we would stop at an old store to get a bite to eat. No fast food restaurants where we lived. We would get a 1/2 pound of some good ol hoop cheese and some bologney and a lil sack of sodi crackers and either a Double Cola or RC to drink. That was good eatin back then. To me it still is. Happy Valentine’s Day Donnie !!! I bet I can guess your sweetheart !!! A sweet ol gal named Mother Nature. 👍😃 This year I’m claiming an old Blue Tick named Jezebel. 😊

All my ancestors talked this way. And most are gone now. I miss them terribly. God Bless Donnie

Well Mr. Donnie when I started grade school I was told I was going to speech class and learn to talk. To this day I have people smile when I talk, but now I smile back because I know it’s absolutely about my heritage! (Arkansas Hillbilly). Now I’m gona build a far, and look out the winder at the hills over yonder.

I’m proud to be an Appalachian American!

I remember we were in Indianapolis in 2012 and while out to eat one evening I noticed our server stared at me,he seemed mesmerized,finally I asked if everything was ok,he said you're not from here are you,I told him I was from TN,he smiled and told me he loved my southern accent and asked me to just talk to him

I was an Assistant Manager for a large retail company a few years back and my Market Manager always told me that I talked like I wasn’t very smart. Hurt me to my heart to hear that. Needless to say I didn’t stay long. I’m from NC

My mom told stories about everyone helping each other growing up in Southeast Kentucky... and yes I know the language.... thanks Donnie 🤗❤️

Thank you Brother for keep taking me Home. My Momma listens now too. I’ve always told people there’s 5 Southern Regions. I’m glad I taught my 3 kids. I can change to each region except Cajun is hard to be fluent in. Cumberland Gap Gal here. Thank you, Mr. Laws. God bless you and yours.

I don't think our way of talk will truly go away, maybe in the city's in the south maybe more like the rest of the country but us country folk will keep the talk alive. We still talk like that where I live in Alabama. I appreciate your channel Donnie, I've turned my folks on to it, we love the Appalachian mountains and stories of her history

Hi Donnie. I was born and raised in Ohio. I'm 56 and all my elders are gone. My kin on both sides talked like this and it makes me miss my parents and grandparents so much. I still say crick, warsh, down the road a piece, etc. My dad's family was from Greenup, KY and my momma's family were all from southern Ohio. People make fun of the way I talk sometimes and I don't care. Thank you for taking me home for a spell.

Thank you Donnie! That accent is music to my ears. It's the sound of family.

Donnie, this was wonderful. Everyone helped each other. It's so sad what society & America has become. I took one of those DNA tests. It came back with a big orange dot in the exact area that you showed on this map. I laughed because I expected it. Loved hearing your Grandma. Chuckled when you said those words. We never knew it was different because everyone talked like that. Can still hear my Mom say she's gonna "redd up the dishes". My dog done went outside & rolled in somethin. He stanks. ;). For years, I never knew people called pop, soda or soda pop. Had an older fella tell me something years ago. He said, yes I'm a Hillbilly & that makes me dangerous but I'm an educated Hillbilly. That makes me doubly dangerous. Ha, that stuck with me. Naners are still naners & soup beans are still soup beans. Oh yes, a whoopin. I used to run to Grandmas. One thing I'd like to share since it's Mother's Day weekend. My Grandma is the one that always took me to Church with her. I'm forever grateful because she helped plant that seed. I never forgot & I'm thankful I'll get to see her again.

The man that did the interview sure made me think of when I was growing up every body helped each other

My favorite subject! Dialects and language in general. What a treat! Thank you.😊 My ancestors are also Scotch-Irish. They settled in S. IN. MY Grandma used to say, 'Cat fur fer kitten britches' whenever she'd get tired of us kids asking 'what's that fer?' I guess it worked, because her response always left us quietly scratching our heads... 🤐😅

A dying breed for sure. Especially... loving thy neighbor. Thanks for sharing Mr Donnie and God bless ya sir.

Up until his death on 2002, my daddy said " let's go do the tradin " Lost him 21 years ago , and I can still hear his voice and his laugh in my memories. I married a Missouri man, and the dialect is so familiar. He talked the same way you do Mr. Donnie.

I love how the mountain people talk.

It is so awesome that you have your Grandma's voice on tape. What a treasure and a blessing!

Oh what a beautiful time and way of life. Thank you for helping preserve this. We should never forget, lot to learn from this time in our history.

Thanks for sharing 🙏💙 the accent takes me back to childhood memories. God bless! The simpler days I would give anything to go back to and hear my mom and grandmother talk again 💙

Oh my soul. You have me in tears. These are my roots, and they run deep. Daddy was from Lee County, VA. He died in 2020 at age 89. Momma grew up on the Stone Mountain in Wautauga County, NC. She just turned 90. Ray Hicks' brother was her next door neighbor. Frank Proffitt lived up the road in Pick Britches. My grand-daddy was a tenant farmer. You talk like my people. We are Scottish and English. I am so proud of my heritage. Thank you for this beautiful video.

I live in East Central Indiana but my family comes for the hollers of McKee and sand gap KY I still talk like this im 57 years old and will always talk like this..good old days..thank you 💜

I'm out in Meade County KY but my Papa was from Bell County (Henderson family). He talked like this and we've picked up a lot of it. I'm trying my best to preserve what he taught me. Unfortunately, he passed away in 2018 so all I have is memories of his way of talking. Your voice soothes me and makes me think of him, similar voice and the soft slow paced. Thank you for giving me a piece of my Papa with every video.

I didn’t live in the mountains but I grew up on a farm where I still live today. Your story took me back in time. My Granddaddy and Grandmother had a country store, fertilizer, seed and grits mill. It was all closed when I came along in the early 60’s but I got to hear lots of stories from my Grandmother, my Aunts and the older people in my community. I sure miss them. Most have passed on now but I look forward to the day that I will see them again!!

What a gift to be able to hear your grandmother and you uncles voices.❤

I love to hear the stories from grandma and grandpa. I really miss mine. Happy Valentine's Day!

I was raised on a cotton mill village by mountain people and have heard most of these words and sayings. Thank you for this God bless.

Oh Donnie, this almost brought tears to this old man's eyes. Remembering the way my grandparents spoke and the stories they told. I sure do wish I'd talked with them more. As you said the old slang IS going away. In Utah we had our own slang as well. You could tell at one time whether someone was from Northern Utah or Southern Utah by how they said their words. In Southern Utah we have a town call Hurricane. In the North we say Hurricane. In Southern Utah they say Hurrakun. Thank you for the sweet memories of an age that is slowly dieing off. God bless you my friend.

My people on both sides are from South Carolina and my parents raised us in Georgia. My children to this day call me to hear home ❤️ I’m proud of that! Thank you Mr. Donnie for the wonderful gift of your storytelling. God bless you Sir.

Just like you Donnie I could listen to old John for hours. Thank you!

I grew up in the country. We talked the same way. This video brings back fond memories

Donnie; As always, a grate history lesson about the people of Appalachia. These folks were a hard working generation who were very resourceful and brave. Too bad they are being lost to time. We could / can learn a whole lot from them. They gave up a lot to help our country grow. They are true heroes of America!

Brings back many a wonderful memory. Thank you.

Donnie, thank you very much for paying tribute to our way of life in these mountains. It takes one to know one. I heard every word and felt lifted in my bones. I woldn't trade where I live for diamonds or gold. I got more than they can offer me. Things like self worth, comfort, contentment, peace, and tranquility. You can't buy those things anyway, but you can find them if your a mind to. This has become my favorite video ever.

Donnie, don't worry. I have a cousin in Virginia that talks like you do and his 10 year old son talks just like him. It will be here in the south for a good long time. But all change is not bad. I'm sure the Scots and Irish felt the same way when their accents started waning. The roots are always there in your heart. No matter how old or young you may be. Thank you so much for your stories, and for keeping our history alive.

My grandmother was born in 1902 and died in 1995 … I have a video on VHS of her talking in 1984… I need to have it put on a DVD…. Awesome video buddy…. Thanks..

Mere words cannot express the gratitude that I have for you, Mr. Laws. Thank you so very much for the stories that you tell about the people of the Appalachia's. 🤗 As you have said, the older folks won't be around forever, and it is so very important that we do not let their flame burn out. Their way of life was indeed very hard, but their strong belief in family and the Lord kept them going strong. Again, thank you Mr. Laws - through you and others who are chronicling their stores so that it ensures that the upcoming generations know how life was back then, and how important family was to them. 💖💖💖

Hey Donnie. I love taking trips down memory lane with you. Where I live, we have a particular accent to our talking, and words that our only common to our area. Sometimes, when I talk to someone from out of state or somewhere else, they can tell exactly where I'm from. Anyway, thank you, and have a great evening. I'll see yinz later!

Fifty some years ago I lived up a branch in Jackson County NC. Folks there said y’uns instead of y’all and we’uns instead of us. They also put an “h” in front of it, saying “hit” (hit sure is). My wife is from the NC piedmont and her grandparents were mamaw and papaw. Fathers were always Daddy, no matter how old you got. I miss the Smoky Mountains and I want to thank you for bringing me back, even for a few minutes at a time.

I still pronounce most of the words the same way, its the way i learnt to talk. Thank you for sharing sir. God bless you and your whole family....🙏❤🙏❤🙏😊🙂😀

Many laugh the way I talk but that doesn’t mean I’m dumb. My kids talk country, especial my eldest because of her knowing the elders. The elders were full of knowledge and wisdom! I love the ol’ folks! Such a precious people! I remember tradin’ for my Nanny Cobble at the white store. We’d walk down to the store and always get candy at the candy counter for 5 and 10 cents a piece in a poke. Boy, those were the days! These kids don’t know what their a missin’!!

I LOVE this! I ain’t but 16, and I am very proud to be from Appalachia. I hate that it’s all dying out slowly. I simply just wish that it’d continue on for a few more generations. I want to try my best to carry on what my grandparents and great grandparents remember and their way of life. Thank you for brining more light to our culture.

Another beautiful story. I think the pioneer spirit is dying out everywhere and it’s sad. Sounds like it was the best upbringing. Love from Australia

Thank You so much Donnie, I was moved by that, I had tears in my eyes, at one point. Loved your Granny, she came across as someone I’d like meet. Thanks for sharing your love and feelings and memories of your beautiful home with us all. We are all blessed for hearing them. Much love and appreciation.

I'll never nor will my son lose my accent. It's a treasure so close to me. I moved from northeast Alabama to Ohio in 2011. But my roots and love are at the foothills of those Appalachian mountains. My son will for damn sure carry that accent on in this side of the family.

Love the way these folks talk, they have a way of saying more with less and you just immediately understand it.When grandma said go outside and bring her a switch you knew what was coming ,lol!

My grandparents from West Virginia talked just like you described.,I even use some like over yonder.,and bullhocky.,they are gone 20 yrs ago ...thanks Donnie for reminding me...God bless

Please don’t stop making videos!!! your voice is so calming and a reminder of home 🫶🏻🤍

Born in West Virginia...miss listening to my grandparents and aunts and uncles... the stories they could tell...thanks Mr. Donny

Thank you Sir! This is exactly how my rural community still is! Though our culture is fading. Like you, I am trying to preserve our Appalachian culture! I was blessed to be adopted and raised from a baby by my Great-Grandparents who were born in 1912 & 1924! They were truly from the greatest generation!! ❤️

I love hearing about the past and our families. How everyone one had their own rituals, sayings, even food ! , I too Donnie, would give anything to have another day with my Baba, I miss her so much, my heart and soul.

Donnie "The Real Deal" Laws represents us real deal modern day hillbillies and we love to watch your video's Mr. Laws, my brother👍🏻👏🏻♥️✝️🙏🏻☝🏻

What I wouldn't give to go back and spend one more day there. Thank you Donnie. You're the best.

My Grandma's daddy (and two generations before him) lived in Jackson County, Tennessee. My great grandfather supervised a crew of men who moved the logs from the side of a mountain down to the Cumberland River where they tied big rafts together and piled the logs on top. The would float the timber downriver to Nashville. My great grandpa took his crew up into Kentucky if that's where the work took them and he often "carried his family with him" (Grandma didn't say, "he took his family.... he "carried" them). It was during one of these trips that my Grandma was born in Monroe County, Kentucky. When that job was finished, they all went back to Jackson County, Tennessee. Grandma married in Jackson County, lived there for a few more years, then moved here to Texas because that's where the good jobs were. Grandma talked just like you. I think that's why I like your videos so much. A lot of her words and phrases passed down to her four children and my mom kept the Appalachian accent most of all, so I grew up hearing this language and used some of the words myself until teachers "corrected" me. I remember Momma's grocery list always included "warshin soap". That's how she spelled it. Grandma was born in 1910 and died 1995. Momma was born in 1941 and died 2018. The only time I hear the language of Appalachia now is when I visit my 91 year old uncle or when I take my yearly trip to Eastern Tennessee and North Carolina. I try to avoid the crowed campgrounds and usually hang out in family owned places near real mountain people. While camping on the French Broad River a couple of years ago, I was walking though the Walmart in Weaverville, NC and I thoroughly enjoyed just listening to the people talk, or should I say tawlk? Sorry this is so long, but I wanted to share. Thank you for your videos, especially the ones that tell the old stories. I can't wait to go back to my mountains in late September.

Love your videos and stories of the old days. Thank you so much. May God bless you Donnie.

Every day I wish I had some recordings of my grandparents and great grandparents that I got to meet. They were some amazing people that lived through some hard times. Great video as always sir.

My ancestors all came from West Virginia and Kentucky ... My daddys people came from the tobacco farms of Ketucky, and mother's, coal camps if Logan County West Virginia. I wouldn't trade my heritage for anything on earth. Thank you for the nostalgia! P.S And you brought back memories of so many words and names for things that brought smiles to my face .... like warsh, tar, and many more ..... My grand-dad and grandmother on my dad's side moved from Kentucky to Ohio to be farmers ..... One word Grand-dad used was burshel and not bushel .... You're so right ..... So much of the dialect is leaving, and I agree that as time goes forth, the changes continue .... and I agree .... the phasing out of so many lifestyles will indeed, make this unique and beautiful people and their way of life totally exinct. How sad ...... how very, very sad. But I grew up on their shirt tails, and I'm truly Blessed for it. God Bless you sir.

My grandma would tell us about the "Red-eyed Ruler" and the "Raw Head & Bloody Bones that would hide under the stairs at night, and would come out and get us if we didn't stay in bed and sleep at night. Hehe! When we drank too much pop during the day, we sometimes had a hard time going to sleep when we were hyped up on sugar. She'd tell us stories--some funny, some scary, and some kind of sad. I miss both of my Grandmas and Grandpas. They loved us grandkids so very much, and we felt it. Thanks for the video, Donnie. You're my link back to the happy times when I grew up in Dickenson County Virginia. We were very poor, but we had everything we needed.

The fact that we’ve forgotten who we are. It hurts me. Outside of my children and wife aside for my calling in this time and servitude to the Kingdom. I would give everything else to have live this time! Thanks Donnie

I will forever be blessed for being raised in blessed East Tennessee, and for the time, people, and experiences of these hills - I’ll keep ever alive in my heart. Thank you truly for this gem sir.

Mr. Donnie, there were some pockets of Appalachian dialect in the Florida Parishes of Louisiana. In the early to mid 1800s, large families from Appalachia moved here and settled and brought with them their dialect. It's the language of my grandparents (born in 1912 and 1914) and the way all of the older folks spoke that I grew up listening to a a child. Most of the families were Scotch-Irish from the mountains of SC and NC. Not only was the Appalachian dialect spoken, but they also used all the colorful euphemisms (ie "worthless as tits on a boar hog", "coming up a cloud", etc). I always feel at home in Appalachia because the language is so familiar to me and although I don't speak with that dialect, I can immediately pick it up when I'm around it. I love all your videos and thank you so much for sharing them.

Brother Donnie our past is slipping away and most cannot wait for it to be gone. In my opinion we are losing our heritage,our way of life and the need to be true neighbors and friends. People today are consumed with self and in my opinion will lead to a worthless life when they get old and look back over the years gone by. Thanks for the reminder of our ancestors and the life they lived. Blessings ✝️

I live in southeastern Kentucky and in the early 1970s I briefly lived in Michigan and Ohio. My heart hurt to come back home to the mountains and I did just that. They made fun of the way I talked and called me ya’ll and could not believe I watched news shows. As if I wasn’t smart enough to keep up with world events. I just still say bless their hearts.

I'm very proud of my Southern accent and my family that called these Appalachia mountains home

I have lived in East Texas all my life.I myself talk like I came from the mountains..and married into a family that does the same.We grow,tatars and mators..that's just the way we were raised. It's normal ..love your stories and videos Mr.Donnie,Thank you for your love of Country and simple ways and taking time to share it with us all that watch !!❤

Good evening Mr . Donnie and Thank You for another great video. Yes many of those words I still use today. Take care and have a blessed evening.❤️🍀 Blessings, Teresa

I live in the valley on the north side of a mountain range and I can confirm the sun is shy around here.

Thank you for sharing this with us Donnie. I love stories and history about how things were and what people did way back years ago. Old folks have a lot of wisdom to share don't they?Do your children have your lovely Appalachian accent?Bless you Donnie. Thank you again. God bless and as you always says see you in the next video."As long as you keep making them,I will keep watching.

Thank you so much for sharing these stories. Through these memories, the people and their way of life will live on.

I've always been proud of being from Southern Appalachia and I'm proud that we still talk like that here in my lil town!

I sure do remember that talk, I went to Cleveland Ohio for a revival bout 5 of us sitting around table eating at a restaurant, folks started sitting around us just to hear us talk, we had a lot of fun, they would say keep on talking don't stop.

Oh my friend,thanks for bringing back memories. Sounds like my family,we weren’t even in the mountains. I remember my grandparents and parents using these same words. I have used many of them myself. I think many folks went through a period (almost said “spell” instead of period) of being embarrassed about our past. I for one am now ashamed of letting the past slip away. I miss it lots. God Bless you

I so enjoyed this video. Oh the nemories you stirred in my mind and heart. We spoke those words like that too. I sure wish I had spent more time with my grandparents, too. They knew how to live and what real loyalty meant. Those times are gone and it makes me sad to think that the kids now a days will never experience those times.

I almost cry when listening to the old way of talkin'...My grandma and grandpa and older family would talk just like these dear people...Thank you for posting these wonderful videos, God bless you

Enjoyed again Donnie, being from n.c., haven't loss my accent, living in FL for 45 yrs, some people don't understand me I'm the last of my blood kin but thats OK, I'M proud to be a country boy

Thank you Donnie for another great video God bless you and your family 🙏🙏🇺🇸

Thanks for this. I can't help to be sad when I remember my parents and grandparents. They seemed to out shine today's people with integrity. God I miss that.

Thank You for this and sharing the recording of your Grandmaw.

Good for you for Preserving history. I love having a true history lesson. It must have been tough in the beginning. It must be such a tight knit community. Hardest working people ❤

What a fortunate person to have a recording of your grandmother's voice. She was the greatest. I'd love to her her voice again. ♥

Thank You so much for trying to keep our ways alive....as a youngin who grew up in the country we all talked that way and still do even though we didn't grow up directly in the mountains. You are appreciated for all you do. Maybe one of these days I'll have the pleasure of meeting you in person. God Bless.

I really enjoy these videos. Keep 'em coming !!

Thank you Donnie. Those were way better times than these days. In my opinion thank you for sharing. Awesome video you take care God bless thank you friend.

Thank you Mr. Donnie! That made me so happy; my folks and brother are passed on; just me and my sister now. Thanks for reminding us what's most important. Happy Valentine's Day!

I am proud to be from the mountains of Tennessee. I was raised in the city but visited my country relatives..My mother had no electricity or water in the house unless it was hauled in from the spring until she was grown.

It's a privilege to live here . This made me cry.

I’m 7th generation southern Appalachian. Family from Western North Carolina and North East Georgia. I love our way of life in these hills

A beautiful video and historic footage ...and with your Grandmas voice recorded Donnie...we sure do miss them friend ..May God bless you and yours ...Thank you for the video Brother.

History is so amazing! Thanks again for sharing Donnie. Love your content and accent!

Donnie, I've heard those words so many times when I was visiting in the Appalachia region. Brings back so many fond memories. Thank you sir.

Thank you, Donnie, for keeping the voices of the past and their ways of life alive and for sharing them with us. God 🙏 🙏 🙏 bless.

Thank you for what you do. Your stories remind me of the stories my mom told me of her childhood in the mountains of Kentucky near the Virginia line in the 30s.

I grew up in western Kentucky and our dialect is a little different. Where you ended all words that ended in “ow or o” with an “er”. We ended them all with an “a” or “ah”. So I say, Potatah for potato Tomatah for tomato Yella for yellow Hollah for hollow Also, all words ending in “ing” lose their g Goin for going Sayin for saying Doin for doing But there were odd words that would turn up now and then. There was plenty reckon and yonder too dadnabit!! lol❤️🤗🐝

Thank you for trying to keep it all alive, Donnie. We need more good folks like you in this world, that's for sure! Love you, Friend💙

As always, very interesting. My Grandparents used a lot of those words. We were in Colorado, although they came from Ireland and passed through that way. People still give me grief for saying worsh. Lol I'm in Florida now, I've always been drawn to the South.