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Big Toe, Little Toe - That’s All I Know

In Southern and Appalachian speech, "Big toe, little toe - that’s all I know" is a playful way to end a conversation or admit you don’t know much about a subject. It’s a rhyming, good-humored phrase common in older rural families.

#SouthernSayings   #Appalachia   #PeopleandRelationships   #Southern

synonyms: that’s all I know, don’t know much, can’t say no more

Pronunciation

[BIG toe, LIT-tle toe - that’s ALL I know]
/ˈbɪɡ toʊ ˈlɪt.l̩ toʊ ðæts ˈɔːl aɪ noʊ/

Meaning & Usage

- Humorous admission of ignorance (expression)

Deflecting a question with humor
Hazel:
You reckon it’s gonna rain again?

Roy:
Big toe, little toe - that’s all I know.

variations: big toe little toe that’s all I know, big toe an’ little toe

Origin and Etymology

A rhyming folk expression rooted in Appalachian and Southern oral tradition. Used when someone has said all they can on a subject, or as a playful way to avoid answering. The rhythm and sing-song pattern reflect the region’s storytelling humor and love of rhyme.

Usage Notes

Common in older rural speech and remembered by many who grew up in the South or mountains.

  • Used to close a conversation or dodge a question.
  • Delivers humility and humor in equal measure.
  • Follows the same playful rhythm found in nursery-style rhymes and "Grannyisms."

Kin Topics

Related Pages

Common Questions

What does "Big toe, little toe - that’s all I know" mean?
It’s a humorous way of saying you don’t know anything else or don’t have an answer.
Is it Southern?
Yes - it’s a genuine Southern and Appalachian rhyme passed down through families.
Is it still used today?
Mostly by older speakers, though many remember hearing parents or grandparents say it.

How to Cite This Page

  • APA (7th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, October 14). Big Toe, Little Toe - That’s All I Know. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/big-toe-little-toe-thats-all-i-know
  • MLA (9th edition)
    "The Hillbilly Dude." "Big Toe, Little Toe - That’s All I Know." HillbillySlang.com, 14 Oct. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/big-toe-little-toe-thats-all-i-know.
  • Chicago (17th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. "Big Toe, Little Toe - That’s All I Know." HillbillySlang.com. October 14, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/big-toe-little-toe-thats-all-i-know.
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