yessum
/ˈjɛsəm
/exclamation US dialect, dated
Used as a polite form of assent addressed to a woman: ‘You feel all right?’ she asked. ‘Yessum.’...
- I won't talk about Bagger Vance… (yessum, weeza all trying ta’ fuget about Bagga Vance ‘roun these here parts!)
- That is the first time I have heard the phrase yessum mister since Little House on the Prairie all those years ago.
- Yessum, Miss Daisy, I'll drive you to the store, yessum.
Origin
Early 20th century: representing a regional pronunciation of yes ma'am.