   Gooder’n SnuffA gooder than snuff is a Southern and Appalachian saying meaning mighty fine or better than good, often said to praise something done right. #SouthernSayings #Appalachia #DialectandGrammar #OldTimers #Southern synonyms: excellent, mighty good, real fine, better’n good Hillbilly Dude Says...  I've only rarely heard 'gooder than snuff' over the years. So it may be more regional and old timers. Hillbilly Dude Says... I've only rarely heard 'gooder than snuff' over the years. So it may be more regional and old timers. Pronunciation[GOO-der than snuhf] /ˈɡʊ.dɚ ðən snʌf/ Meaning & Usage- Exceptionally good; better than expected (saying)
Hazel:
How’s the cobbler, Pa?
Pa:
Gooder’n snuff and sweeter’n a Sunday hymn.variations: gooder’n snuff, finer than snuff, better than snuff and not half as dusty ★ If someone says your cookin’s "gooder than snuff," that’s a high compliment - it means it’d make a preacher forget his sermon. ★ Origin and EtymologyThis phrase dates back to at least the 1800s in rural Southern and Appalachian speech. "Snuff," a finely ground tobacco powder, was once prized and described as "fine," making it a natural measure of quality. Over time, locals turned it into a colorful compliment - "gooder than snuff" - with variants like "finer than snuff" and "better than snuff and not half as dusty." The playful grammar reflects regional dialect where "gooder" was common in everyday talk. Usage NotesStill heard across the South and Appalachia, especially among older speakers, gooder than snuff is used to praise food, weather, company, or any small pleasure. It’s cheerful, familiar, and proudly down-home - a saying that survived long after snuff itself faded from daily life. | ...
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... |