Whatnaworld!

In Southern and Appalachian speech, whatnaworld is a blended exclamation meaning "what in the world?" It expresses surprise, disbelief, or confusion - sometimes serious, sometimes playful.

#SouthernSayings #Appalachia #BlendedWords #Southern #Exclamations

synonyms: what the heck, what on earth, land sakes, good gracious

Hillbilly Dude Says...

All the time. With a house full o' people, I say 'whatnaworld!?' probly everday.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

All the time. With a house full o' people, I say 'whatnaworld!?' probly everday.

Pronunciation

[WUT-nuh-wurld]
/ˈwʌt.nə.wɜːrld/

Meaning & Usage

- Expression of surprise or confusion (exclamation)

Elmer:

Whatnaworld is that critter doin’ in my kitchen?

Estel:

Looks like he’s fixin’ to make hisself some taters.

variations: whatnaworld, what-in-the-world, what in the world, whutnaworld, whut in the world, whutnawhirl, whatnawhirl

★ When you hear "whatnaworld" in these parts, it means the speaker’s brain is still tryin’ to catch up with what their eyes just saw. ★

Origin and Etymology

A compressed and blended form of "what in the world," shaped by fast Appalachian and Southern speech patterns. Its rhythm reflects the region’s habit of merging small connecting words like "in the" into "nuh." The phrase has been passed down through generations as a mild, folksy exclamation.

Usage Notes

"Whatnaworld" often pops out before a speaker even knows they’ve said it. It can show amusement, amazement, or confusion - and the tone of voice sets the mood. It’s still heard among older Southerners and those who grew up in close-knit, expressive households.

"Whatnaworld is that noise?" - startled confusion.
"Whatnaworld possessed you to do that?" - mild scolding or disbelief.
"Well, whatnaworld!" - playful surprise.
"Whatnaworld happened here?" - shocked reaction to a mess or event.

Say It Like a Southerner

Start with "what" like "wut," then roll "in the" into a quick "nuh." End with "world" softened to "wurld." When said quickly, it fuses into "whatnaworld." Tone decides the meaning - sharp for shock, slow for teasing disbelief.

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Is "whatnaworld" proper English?

Not formally, but it’s perfectly proper in Southern and Appalachian speech - a natural colloquialism.

Is it always negative?

No. It can express anything from wonder to mild exasperation, depending on tone.

Do people outside Appalachia say it?

Rarely. It shows up mostly in dialect-rich areas or in writing that imitates Southern speech.

Does it mean the same as "what the heck"?

Very close - but "whatnaworld" sounds warmer, milder, and more good-natured.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, November 8). Whatnaworld!. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/whatnaworld
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Whatnaworld!." HillbillySlang.com, 8 Nov. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/whatnaworld.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Whatnaworld!." HillbillySlang.com. November 8, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/whatnaworld.

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