Knowed
In Appalachian and Southern speech, "knowed" is a nonstandard past tense of "know." Where standard English uses "knew," many rural speakers naturally say "knowed."
Hillbilly Dude Says...
Out in the country, you'll still here 'knowed' plenty. I use it myself when I feel like it. Hillbilly Dude Says...
Out in the country, you'll still here 'knowed' plenty. I use it myself when I feel like it. Pronunciation
[NOHd]
Meaning & Usage
- Past tense of know (verb)
Mae:
How’d you catch him fibbin’?
How’d you catch him fibbin’?
Earl:
I just knowed it.
I just knowed it.- Emphatic form with "done" (verb)
Mae:
You didn’t trust him?
You didn’t trust him?
Earl:
Nope - I done knowed better.
Nope - I done knowed better.variations: knew, done knowed, already knowed, knowed better, knowed all along, knowed good and well
★ "Knowed" often shows up with "done" for emphasis: *"I done knowed."* That combo is especially Appalachian/Southern. ★
Origin and Etymology
An older English past form of "know" that faded in standard speech but survived in Appalachian and Southern dialects. The structure echoes other preserved forms like "holp" (helped).
Usage Notes
Still widely heard in rural Southern and Appalachian speech. Considered "nonstandard" in school grammar, but natural and common in everyday talk.
Say It Like a Southerner
Said plain: "nohd." Quick and clipped - often said with emphasis: "I done knowed that."