Great Day in the Mornin’!

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "Great day in the morning!" is an old-fashioned exclamation of surprise, delight, or exasperation. It’s a colorful, polite way of saying "Wow!" or "Mercy!" without swearing.

#SouthernSayings #Appalachia #OldTimers #Southern #Exclamations

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I've heard ‘great day in the morning!’ over the years, but it's not super common.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I've heard ‘great day in the morning!’ over the years, but it's not super common.

Pronunciation

[GRAYT DAY in thuh MORN-in]

Meaning & Usage

- Exclamation of surprise, delight, or exasperation (interjection)

Mae:

Great day in the morning! Would you look at that sky?

variations: Great day, Great day alive, Good gracious

★ "Great day in the morning!" lets you express strong feeling without cussing. It’s perfect for church, family, or polite company and still gets the point across. ★

Origin and Etymology

Documented in early 20th-century Southern newspapers and church writings as a mild oath. Popularized further by the 1956 Randolph Scott western film *Great Day in the Morning*. It’s a descendant of older British/Scots expressions like "Good day in the morning."

Usage Notes

Still heard among older Southerners and Appalachians, especially in church circles or family talk. Outside the region it’s rare and reads as quaint or humorous.

Say It Like a Southerner

Said plain: "great day in the mornin’!" with the "g" dropped. Often drawn out for emphasis: "Greeeeat day in the mornin’!"

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Does it literally refer to a morning?

No - it’s a figurative exclamation, not about time of day.

Is it uniquely Southern?

Strongest in Southern/Appalachian speech but understood as an old-timey expression elsewhere.

Do people still use it today?

Yes - mainly among older folks or for humorous effect.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, October 5). Great Day in the Morning!. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/great-day-in-the-morning
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Great Day in the Morning!." HillbillySlang.com, 5 Oct. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/great-day-in-the-morning.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Great Day in the Morning!." HillbillySlang.com. October 5, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/great-day-in-the-morning.

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