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All the Sudden

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "all the sudden" means "suddenly" or "all at once." It’s a long-standing regional phrasing parallel to the standard "all of a sudden."

#SouthernSayings   #Appalachia   #Southern

synonyms: suddenly, without warning, unexpectedly

Pronunciation

[AWL thuh SUD-n] /ɔːl ðə ˈsʌdən/

Meaning & Usage

- Suddenly / Without Warning (adverbial phrase)

Describing something abrupt
Clara:
We were walking and all the sudden it started raining.

Mae:
I didn’t even see the clouds coming.

variations: all of a sudden, all th’sudden
★ "All the sudden" is the Southern/Appalachian variant of "all of a sudden." In quick speech it may sound like "all th’sudden." Both forms are widely understood. ★

Origin

"All of a sudden" dates to at least the 16th century in English. The reduced form "all the sudden" took hold in American Midland and Southern speech and is still common in rural and informal usage.

Notes

Common throughout the South and Appalachia; also heard in parts of the Midwest. Outside the region it’s recognized but sometimes labeled nonstandard or informal.

Say It Like a Southerner

Say it natural: "all the sudden" or "all th’sudden" in relaxed speech. Often heard in stories or casual conversation.

Kin Topics

Kin Words, Stories and More

Common Questions

Does "all the sudden" mean the same as "all of a sudden"?
Yes - it’s just the Southern/Appalachian way of saying it.
Is "all the sudden" incorrect English?
It’s considered informal but is a genuine, documented regional form.
Is it still used today?
Absolutely - especially in casual conversation and storytelling.
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