What Ails You?

"What ails you?" is an old question meaning "What’s wrong with you?" In Southern and Appalachian speech, it’s still common, often paired with the phrase "cures what ails ya" for home remedies or whiskey.

#SouthernSayings #Appalachia #DialectandGrammar #OldTimers #Southern #BodyandHealth

synonyms: what’s wrong, what’s the matter, what troubles you

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I've heard 'cures what ails you' all my life - but I'd still say it's a more of an old timers phrase.

Pronunciation

[AYLZ] /weɪlz/ (as in "what ails ya")

Meaning & Usage

- To ask what is wrong (saying)

Clara:

Why are you poutin’ over there in the corner?

Elmer:

Don’t rightly know what ails me, but I sure don’t feel right.

Origin

From the old English verb ail, meaning "to trouble" or "to cause pain." The phrase "What ails you?" dates back to at least the 1500s in English but became especially rooted in American rural and Southern speech, where it remained long after fading elsewhere.

Notes

What ails you? is considered old-fashioned outside the South but is still common in Southern/Appalachian households.
The phrase often appears in a light scolding or concerned tone, especially from elders.
The variation "cures what ails ya" is a Southern/Appalachian folk saying, often used about home remedies, soup, or whiskey.

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Common Questions

What does "What ails you?" mean?

It means "What’s wrong with you?" or "What’s the matter?"

Is this still used today?

Yes, especially in the South and Appalachia. Outside those regions it sounds old-fashioned.

What does "cures what ails ya" mean?

It’s a playful Southern/Appalachian phrase for something that’ll fix you up - often folk remedies, food, or whiskey.

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