Pap and Granny sitting in their shady backyard of an evening
In Appalachia you’ll sometimes hear folks say “of a” before describing a time of day or even a day of the week.
A few examples.
Of a morning I like to sit on the porch and drink my coffee before getting to work.
Pap and Granny liked to find a shady spot to sit of an evening after working in the garden.
Sometimes of a night when everything is real quiet you can hear that train way in the distance.
He always took a long walk in the woods of a Sunday after church.
The usage is definitely more common with older folks like Granny, but I’ve also heard a few younger people use it so hopefully it will stick around a while longer.
On this page you can find a discussion of the usage. I especially found the British part interesting.
I love the photo of Granny and Pap I shared in this post. So many things jump out at me.
The old plastic measuring bowl Granny is holding. I’m sure she had used it to water something.
Pap’s boots—always with a Marine shine.
Granny’s old garden boots.
Molly dog on the right side of the porch resting in the shade like Pap and Granny.
Granny’s clematis growing on the end of the porch. She’s always so proud of it’s blooms.
The comfortable companionship they shared just oozes from the picture. You can see their friendship and love.
I’m not sure what made me take the picture nor do I remember what we were all doing that day but I sure am glad I captured Pap and Granny sitting in the shade of their house of an evening on a hot summer day.
Last night’s video: Granny: Regrets & the Feel of Homemade Quilts.
Tipper
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I loved this phrase, mostly in my memory. It was widely used in my eastern NC area. I also heard, though much less often, the phrase “uvva eednen” .
What I love about the picture is your resemblance to Granny. Pap too. How lovely to have a picture of them when they were enjoying themselves.
My dad’s folks used it regularly. And any time after noon was Evenin’
I was just thinking about “of an evenin’”, when you talk about isms. I have heard this all my life and love it
I’ve heard “of a” used here in Texas. I think it is a vestige from the old country where it is still common in Yorkshire, or so I’ve been told.
I don’t hear it from young folks. By that I mean those 70 and younger. 🙂
My dad, who was from the Arkansas Ozarks, always used this expression. He was the only one I heard use it, other than his older relatives, until I tuned into your channel. It amazes me how similar your neck of Appalachia and my dad’s neck of the Ozarks are regarding the language, food ways, etc. By the way, I’ve loved watching the Q and A segments with Granny.
Of a morning, of an evening, of a Sunday afternoon were all things I heard my parents say but had not thought of it for years. Watching your videos and reading blind pig and the acorn has brought me so many great memories, a lot of things I just would not have thought on on my own. Thank you very much.
I love pictures that capture the everyday, of a evening, moment. Granny had a pitcher in her hand I’m figuring to water some pretty flower now that the sun was down. And of course the dog was coming around to say hello. Posed pictures are nice but ones like these are true treasures.
Our family says it. I’m even hearing it on national news programs now. It’s just a useful phrase “of a kind”. Blessings and prayers for Granny.
The first sentence in my post should have said, of a time. Silly typos, drive me up a wall. LOL.
Tipper – I think of how we don’t realize the value of moments until they have become a memory….you captured a sweet memory moment in this picture. I am enjoying the Q&A times with Granny. I often wish I had spent more time asking my own parents about their growing up years. Have a wonderful day doing what you all do best – celebrating Appalachia.
Of time I heard this from my MIL. Growing up I can’t remember the usage of this. I catch myself using it , not often. Hearing it just from the time I met and was around my my mother in law and knowing her. She used expressions I didn’t grow up around but. I cannot remember all of them, but I could listen to her talk for hours and on. I truly loved my mother in law. She always treated me the best and sometimes didn’t mind getting me straight on things. LOL. Please remember my daughter in prayer. She’s going to have a very long, hard recovery. Thank you all. Miss Tipper, family and everyone have a good weekend and may God bless y’all today, tomorrow and always. Love y’all, South Mississippi, Jennifer
We here at home have used and heard this all of our lives. I didn’t know just how much until I got to thinking about it. Love the picture and enjoyed another Q and A with sweet Granny. She looks wonderful!!
On these hot days, start working early of a morning or forget it!
Another hot one today..stay cool and hydrated..pray for Israel our country.
I love the black and white snapshot of pap and granny and how you see all the reminders of life back then.
Mamaw used to get her bath after supper and sit out under the shade tree of a evening.
I don’t hear that phrase much anymore.
I grew up surrounded by people using “of a” all the time. Somehow I didn’t pick it up but my younger brother Stephen did. Even though I don’t use it when I speak it is a natural part of my lexicon.
What a sweet picture! We had an old hunting dog named Molly. She was so sweet.
That usage was common as I grew up. I haven’t heard it in years, but I’ve probably used it myself without realizing it. Love the sweet photo of the folks. My best candid shot of my Smith grandparents was a porch scene. Both were smiling. Their little dog was in Grandma’s lap. I shot that on a Kodachrome slide from which I later had prints made for my cousins.
I grew up hearing ‘uva’ and still hear my relatives say it and I bet I do too. To hear someone say of an evening would have sounded like a high-falutin person speaking. I love Granny’s boots!
Shirl
You are so right
Now that I think about it we said “uva night” and I still on occasion lol
You did it again! You caught me betwixt and between. I do not know; if I ever heard “of a” (but likely have), if I ever did say it myself (probably not but maybe). I’m thinking that if I ever heard “of a” said it would have been before 1974. Anyway, yes that is a picture packed with meanings. I remarked to my wife about Pap’s boots before I read what you wrote. My Dad, also a Marine, never wanted us boys to go without a belt, have our shirttail out, our hair uncombed or needing cut. Took me a lot of years to understand that was about self a respect but also respect for others.
My mama has always used “of A” in her daily speech. I never really thought about it before reading your post this morning, but now I realize she says it all the time. I especially can hear her saying something her and dad would do “of A evening”. I watched your video with Granny last evening. I just love hearing her talk about the old days. She’s so sweet.
One thing I noticed was Granny sitting there, obviously in her outdoor work clothes, but she was wearing dangly earrings! A little bit of fancy along with the simple! Love the pic!
I don’t use “of a” but have heard people say it. The first thing I noticed was Granny’s earrings. She was still a lady even when wearing her work boots!
Tipper, I think that photograph is both precious and captivating concerning our not so distant ways of relaxing after work is done and the evening is coming on and air cooling down. It’s still our way in Appalachia where we are no respecter of fancy persons or fancy ways. It’s a place time stands still and fads mean nothing. It’s what I call FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN time when the whole mountain is seemingly lit up bright orange as the sun begins it’s decent. It’s my favorite time of day when I can look back over the day at my accomplishments and reflect before the Lord on my deeds both good and sinful (even thoughts, I’m afraid.) It’s a time of quiet contemplation and getting right before my Lord as I enjoy a cup of coffee or juice with HIM. On another note, the garden is going to yield what’s there, but aside from cold weather cabbage, it’s winding down and dying back. I hate to see winter come… lol
I’ve heard “of a” used quite often. It just seemed like a natural part of speech. That’s a great photo of Pap and Granny. Enjoyed Granny’s Q & A yesterday and look forward to the next one.
My parents both used that term too. I never have, but I’ve noticed you using it in some videos.
I have never thought about it but I am sure I often say “of a.” Speaking of shade, this week has been very hot with days of mid 90 to upper 90 temps. Today the “feel like” temp prediction is for around 100 degrees. Looking forward to next week when the temperatures are predicted to be in the 70’s along with a better chance of rain.
Granny is so precious. I’m from New York. I grew up in the big city. But I moved out to Oklahoma then met my husband. He was military. The best place I ever went to was Ronoke, VA. SInce then I loved the living. That was almost 46 yrs ago. Only to find out my mom who is British had alot of your ways and saying and some foods. So Ty
I’ve said and heard this all my life. If I shut my eyes real tight like I can hear my late maternal grandmother, my Granny using it in a sentence. Brings a smile to my face:)
Blessings!
Have used and heard this said all my life. Never thought about how we used OF A.
Great picture of Granny and Pap. Your memories.
I watch Granny’s question and answer video yesterday, she looked really good, God bless my Granny Wilson, God bless Tipper and her family