   Gooder’n GritsIn Appalachian and Southern speech, "gooder’n grits" (commonly written "gooder than grits") means something is very good, excellent, or highly pleasing. It’s a playful, folksy comparison that elevates whatever’s being praised by stacking it up against grits - a Southern staple. Hillbilly Dude Says...  This another one I didn't hear growin' up - 'gooder’n grits' - but I've heard it around as a grown up. Pronunciation[GOOD-er ’n grits] Meaning & Usage- Very good; excellent (adjective phrase)
Mae:
How’s that pie?
Earl:
It’s gooder’n grits.- High praise in country talk (figurative)
Mae:
Ain’t he somethin’?
Earl:
He’s gooder’n grits, that’s for sure.variations: better than grits ★ Using "gooder" isn’t a mistake here - it’s playful dialect. Folks lean into it on purpose to sound country and colorful. ★ OriginDraws from two pieces of Southern/Appalachian speech: 1. "Gooder" - a nonstandard comparative used in rural dialect and child-speech. 2. "Grits" - a Southern staple food, seen as plain, wholesome, and dependable. Together, it forms a humorous, down-home expression of strong approval. NotesStill heard in Southern storytelling, family talk, and humorous praise. It carries a strong regional flavor and is less common outside the South, though it’s understood widely. Say It Like a SouthernerSaid plain: "good-er ’n grits." The "than" is shortened to "’n." | ...
Latest Accents About 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... |
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