In Appalachian and Southern talk, "Do what?" or "Do what now?" is a common way of saying "Pardon?" or "What did you say?" It’s not a real question about doing something - it’s just a request to repeat or clarify.
For me, 'do what"' is a lot like 'misewell' and 'right quick' - I forget it's hillbilly in conversations with the nons. Use it all the time.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
For me, 'do what"' is a lot like 'misewell' and 'right quick' - I forget it's hillbilly in conversations with the nons. Use it all the time.
Pronunciation
[doo WHUT?]
/ˈduː.wɑʔt/
Meaning & Usage
- Asking someone to repeat (phrase)
Didn’t catch it
Mae:
He’s comin’ Tuesday.
Earl:
Do what?
variations: do what now?
★ Don’t take "Do what?" literally - nobody’s asking you to do anything. It’s just a regional way of asking you to repeat yourself. ★
Origin and Etymology
The phrase "Do what?" likely developed in Southern and Appalachian English as a clipped way of saying "Do what now?" or "Do what you said?" Over time, it lost any real connection to "doing" and settled into meaning "I didn’t hear you."
Usage Notes
"Do what?" is extremely common in the South and Appalachia, but can confuse outsiders who expect a literal request.
A longer version, "Do what now?," softens it and adds a touch of politeness, but both mean the same thing: "I didn’t hear you."
Say It Like a Southerner
Say it quick and curious: "doo WHUT?" The tone, not the words, tells you it’s about hearing, not about doing.
Created by The Hillbilly Dude, this site is a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia but reaching across the world. Every slang word, saying, accent and story is gathered from first-hand experience and trusted sources. The goal: preserve authentic voices and share them with writers, learners, and culture lovers everywhere - with a little humor thrown in here and there. Read more...
For me, 'do what"' is a lot like '