I Can’t Tell It

In Southern and Appalachian speech, I can’t tell it is a humble, old-timey response to "How are you?" - meaning "I’m doing so well (or blessed) I can’t even say."

#SouthernSayings #Appalachia #OldTimers #Southern

synonyms: so blessed I can’t say, words can’t express, doing very well

Hillbilly Dude Says...

Answering 'I can’t tell it' to 'how you doin’' is one of those I've only read. So I'm assuming it's more old timers and regional.

Pronunciation

[AH CAIN’T TELL-it]
/aɪ kænt ˈtɛl ɪt/ (dialect: /aː kænt/ or /kaɪnt/)

Meaning & Usage

- A humble way of saying "I’m doing well" (response/expression)

Ethel:

How you doin’, Brother Frank?

Frank:

I can’t tell it.

variations: I can’t tell it, I cain’t tell it, couldn’t tell it

★ In Southern/Appalachian church and community culture, "I can’t tell it" signals gratitude and humility rather than secrecy - the speaker feels so blessed they can’t put it into words. ★

Origin

Documented in Appalachian oral histories, small-town newspapers, and church conversations since at least the mid-20th century. The phrase reflects a Scots-Irish-influenced humility where good fortune is acknowledged indirectly. It’s especially common in East Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, and the Carolinas.

Notes

I can’t tell it - humble response to "How are you?" meaning "so blessed I can’t even say."
Dialect spellings like "I cain’t tell it" or "couldn’t tell it" also appear.
Commonly heard at church doors, family gatherings, or local stores among older speakers.
Rare outside the South/Appalachia - most non-Southerners would interpret it literally.
Comparable to other indirect Southern responses like "Can’t complain" or "Better than I deserve."

Kin Topics

Kin Words, Stories and More

Common Questions

Does "I can’t tell it" mean you literally can’t talk about it?

No - it’s a humble way of saying you’re doing very well.

Where is it most common?

East Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, North Carolina, and surrounding Appalachian areas.

Is it still used today?

Yes - mostly among older or churchgoing Southerners, but still recognized as a regional expression.

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