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What All

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "what all" broadens a question to mean "what things" or "everything." It’s a hallmark of regional grammar that turns "what" into "what all" for inclusiveness.

#SouthernSayings   #Appalachia   #Southern

synonyms: what things, everything, which items
Hillbilly Dude Says...
I've heard and said 'what all' all my life and didn't realize it was unique to the sound. This one's common. 

Pronunciation

[WUT AWL] /wʌt ɑːl/

Meaning & Usage

- Inclusive Question (pronoun phrase)

Mae:
What all are you bringing to the church supper?
Ruby:
Casserole, biscuits, and pie.
variations: whatall, whut all, whadall
★ Adding "all" after "what" broadens the question to ask about every possible thing - a distinctive feature of Southern/Appalachian English. In quick speech it can sound like "whadall" or "whut all." ★

Origin

Rooted in Scots-Irish and Midland English patterns brought to the American South. The "what all" construction appears in 19th-century dialect collections and is still a living feature of Southern/Appalachian grammar.

Notes

Common throughout the South, South Midland, and Appalachia. Outside the region it may sound quaint but is easily understood. Still widely used today in casual conversation.

Say It Like a Southerner

Say it natural: often "whadall" or "whut all" in relaxed speech. You’ll hear it in questions like "What all are y’all bringin’?"

Kin Topics

Kin Words, Stories and More

Common Questions

What does "what all" mean?
It means "what things" or "everything" - a broader question than just "what."
Is it correct to say "whatall" as one word?
Many people write it that way informally, but it’s usually two words in print ("what all").
Is "what all" still used today?
Yes - it’s a staple of Southern/Appalachian speech and easily recognized.
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