All’s I’m Saying

In Southern and Appalachian speech, "all’s I’m saying" means "all I’m saying." The extra "’s" comes from older dialect forms like "all as I’m saying," carried into local speech.

#SouthernSayings #Appalachia #DialectandGrammar #Southern

Hillbilly Dude Says...

'All’s I’m saying is...' is one that you'll hear often around here, it's common.

Pronunciation

[AWLZ ahm SAY-in] /ɔlz aɪm ˈseɪ.ɪn/

Meaning & Usage

- A way of saying "all I’m saying" (phrase)

Betty:

You think that old truck’ll make it?

Harold:

All’s I’m saying is, don’t push it too hard on the hills.

variations: all as I’m saying

★ This phrase is close kin to "all’s I know" - both use the extra "’s" that makes Southern/Appalachian speech sound natural and down-home. ★

Origin

The form comes from older British and Scots dialect where "as" slipped into everyday phrases. Settlers carried this speech pattern into Appalachia, and it survives in the Southern expression "all’s I’m saying."

Notes

Still common in country talk when giving advice or making a point.
Often used to soften a statement - not pushy, just conversational.
Pairs naturally with "all’s I know."

Kin Topics

Kin Words, Stories and More

Common Questions

What does "all’s I’m saying" mean?

It simply means "all I’m saying." The "’s" is a dialect holdover from "all as I’m saying."

Is it only Southern?

It’s strongest in Southern and Appalachian speech, though the pattern shows up in other rural English dialects too.

Do people still say it today?

Yes. It’s still alive in Southern/Appalachian country talk, often in storytelling or advice.

Is it considered proper English?

Not in formal writing, but it’s natural and authentic in dialect.

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