All the SuddenIn 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." synonyms: suddenly, without warning, unexpectedly Hillbilly Dude Says... Pronunciation[AWL thuh SUD-n] /ɔːl ðə ˈsʌdən/ Meaning & Usage- Suddenly / Without Warning (adverbial phrase)
Clara:
Mae:
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. NotesCommon 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 SouthernerSay it natural: "all the sudden" or "all th’sudden" in relaxed speech. Often heard in stories or casual conversation. | ...
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