As All Get OutIn Appalachian and Southern speech, "as all get out" is an intensifier meaning "extremely" or "to the highest degree." It’s used to emphasize how strong or extreme something is. Hillbilly Dude Says... Hillbilly Dude Says... Pronunciation[az awl GIT-out] Meaning & Usage- Intensifier (phrase)
Mae:
Earl:
- Strong emphasis in criticism (phrase)
Mae:
Earl:
variations: as can be, real ___, mighty ___, awful ___, plumb ___, plain ol’ ___, sure enough ___ ★ "As all get out" always comes after an adjective - it’s not used on its own. Think of it as the Southern way of adding an exclamation point in speech. ★ Origin and EtymologyThe phrase dates back to the 1800s, likely from expressions of disbelief like "Get out!" (meaning "No way!"). Over time it shifted into an intensifier. It stuck around especially in Southern and Appalachian English. Usage NotesStill common today across the South and Appalachia. Rarely seen in writing or movies, but natural in everyday talk. Often used for both praise and complaint. Say It Like a SouthernerSaid plain: "get out" with the stress on "get." It usually follows an adjective: "tired as all get out," "pretty as all get out." | ...
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