Awful Good

In Southern and Appalachian speech, "awful good" is a colorful way of saying something is very good or extremely enjoyable.

#SouthernSayings #Appalachia #DialectandGrammar #Southern

synonyms: very good, mighty good, real good, powerful good

Hillbilly Dude Says...

Papaw cleaned his plate and leaned back, saying, "That pie was awful good," and everybody at the table knew he meant it.

Pronunciation

[AW-ful good] /ˈɔː.fəl ɡʊd/

Meaning & Usage

- Extremely good (expression)

Hazel:

How was the cobbler?

Earl:

Awful good. Might get me another piece.

variations: awful tasty, awful nice

★ "Awful" here doesn’t mean bad-it flips into a positive intensifier. When Southerners say something’s "awful good," they’re really bragging on it. ★

Origin

This use of "awful" as a magnifier goes back to older English, but in Southern and Appalachian speech it stuck around long after it faded elsewhere. "Awful good" became a set phrase for praise, especially of food or pleasant experiences.

Notes

Commonly used to praise food, gatherings, or company.
Heard across Appalachia and the South, still in regular use.
Part of a larger set of colorful Southern intensifiers ("mighty good," "real fine," "powerful sweet").

Kin Topics

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Common Questions

Does "awful good" mean bad or good?

It means "very good." The word "awful" just adds strength.

Is this phrase still used today?

Yes, especially in the South and Appalachia, though it may sound old-fashioned elsewhere.

Is "awful good" unique to the South?

It’s understood elsewhere but is far more common in Southern/Appalachian speech, where it remains natural and everyday.

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