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All Y’all

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "all y’all" is the emphatic plural of "y’all," used to make sure everyone in a group is included. It’s a hallmark of Southern grammar and hospitality.

#SouthernSayings   #Appalachia   #PeopleandRelationships   #BlendedWords   #Southern

Pronunciation

[AWL yall]

Meaning & Usage

- Emphatic plural of "y’all" (pronoun phrase)

Calling a group to the table
Mae:
Is this for just us?

Earl:
No - it’s for all y’all.

- Used for clarity or emphasis when addressing a whole group (pronoun phrase)

Giving instructions
Mae:
Who needs to sign?

Earl:
All y’all sign at the bottom, please.

variations: all of you, every one of y’all, each of y’all
★ "All y’all" doesn’t mean "double plural" - it’s simply a way of emphasizing that the speaker means *everyone in the group,* not just a subset. It’s authentic Southern grammar, not a mistake. ★

Origin

"Y’all" itself comes from "you all." Adding "all" to "y’all" for emphasis appears in 19th-century Southern writing and oral histories. It reflects the region’s love of clarity and friendly inclusiveness.

Notes

Still widely used across the South and Appalachia today. Outside the region it’s recognized as Southern but less common in actual speech. In jokes and memes it’s one of the best-known Southern expressions.

Say It Like a Southerner

Say it smooth: "all y’all." The first word "all" is stressed, then "y’all" rolls right after. Often drawn out in friendly speech: "Aaaall y’all."

Kin Topics

Kin Words, Stories and More

Common Questions

Isn’t "all y’all" redundant?
Grammatically yes, but dialect-wise it’s an emphatic plural - a natural feature of Southern speech.
Is it used seriously or jokingly?
Seriously in the South, jokingly by outsiders imitating the dialect.
Do Southerners also use "y’all" for one person?
Sometimes, but "all y’all" removes doubt - it’s always plural.
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