everhow
In Appalachian and Southern speech, "everhow" means "however" or "no matter how." It’s a regional way to say "in whatever manner" or "whichever way."
Hillbilly Dude Says...
Pronunciation
[EV-er-hou] (rhymes with "never how")
Meaning & Usage
- However; no matter how (dialect word)
Mae:
Do you want me to fry it or bake it?
Earl:
Everhow you like is fine.
other spellings: however, and no matter how
★ "Everhow" is part of a family of regional "ever-" compounds ("everwhat," "everwho") found in Southern and Appalachian English, reflecting Scots-Irish influence. ★
Origin
Documented in Appalachian and Southern dialect studies and the Dictionary of American Regional English. It traces back to older British and Scots-Irish forms like "ever-how" meaning "however."
Notes
Still used in rural Southern/Appalachian communities, especially by older speakers. Outside the region it’s rare and may be misunderstood, so it’s a marker of authentic dialect.
Say It Like a Southerner
Said plain: "everhow" - often in sentences like "Everhow you do it" or "Everhow she said."