everthang

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "everthang" is the local pronunciation of "everything." The "-thing" shifts into "-thang," giving the word extra drawl and weight.

#Appalachia #Measurements #Southern

Hillbilly Dude Says...

Along with 'thang', everthang is one of the only times you almost here the 'g' at the end of a word.

Pronunciation

[EV-er-thang]

Meaning & Usage

- All things, the whole lot (pronoun)

Mae:

They done bought up everthang off the shelf.

Earl:

Ain’t nuthin’ left but empty boxes.

other spellings: everything, ever’thang, everthin’, all, the whole lot, the works, and ever’last one

★ "Everthang" is just "everything" said Southern/Appalachian style. The shift to "-thang" is one of the most recognizable markers of the dialect. ★

Origin

The pronunciation "-thang" comes from vowel shifts in Southern and Appalachian English. Over time, "everything" became "everthang" in casual speech, often written phonetically to capture the sound.

Notes

Still common in everyday talk across the South and Appalachia. Often used in playful or emphatic ways: "He wants everthang his way." Outsiders may write it to mimic dialect, but locals just say it naturally.

Say It Like a Southerner

Said with a stretched "-thang." Can sound playful, serious, or exaggerated depending on tone.

Kin Topics

Kin Words, Stories and More

Common Questions

Does "everthang" mean something different from "everything"?

No - it’s the same word, just pronounced Southern/Appalachian style.

Is "everthang" unique to Appalachia?

Not unique - you’ll hear it all across the South, but mountain talk leans on it heavy.

Do people still say it today?

Absolutely - it’s one of the most recognizable markers of Southern/Appalachian speech.