What's the deal with the accent in the Ozarks?

The Ozarks region spans across several states in the United States, including Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. It is a region that has a distinct culture, history, and language. The Ozark accent is one aspect of this culture that has fascinated linguists and sociolinguists for years.

The Ozark accent is characterized by several features, including the vowel shift and the use of a unique set of words and phrases. One of the most notable features of the accent is the use of the diphthong 'oi,' which is pronounced like 'ah' in some words. For example, the word 'oil' is pronounced like 'ahl' in the Ozark accent.

The accent is also known for its unique vocabulary. For example, the word 'a-yonder' is commonly used to mean 'over there,' and 'poke' is used to mean 'bag.' The Ozark accent has been studied by linguists and sociolinguists, who have noted its similarities to other dialects in the United States, such as the Appalachian dialect and the Southern dialect.