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.
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. 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?
What all are you bringing to the church supper?
Ruby:
Casserole, biscuits, and pie.
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 and Etymology
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.
Usage 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
Related Pages
How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 23). What All. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/what-all
- MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "What All." HillbillySlang.com, 23 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/what-all.
- Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "What All." HillbillySlang.com. September 23, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/what-all.
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