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Where All

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "where all" broadens a question to mean "which places" or "everywhere." It’s a hallmark of regional grammar that turns "where" into "where all" for inclusiveness.

#SouthernSayings   #Appalachia   #Southern

synonyms: which places, everywhere, all the locations
Hillbilly Dude Says...
If somebody wants to know exactly where you've been, around here they'll be sayin', 'where all' did you go? 

Pronunciation

[WAIR AWL] /wɛr ɑːl/

Meaning & Usage

- Inclusive Question (Places) (adverbial phrase)

Hannah:
Where all have you been today?
Leroy:
Town, the feed store, and the post office.
variations: whereall, whar all, whur all
★ Adding "all" after "where" broadens the question to ask about every place - a distinctive feature of Southern/Appalachian English. In quick speech it can sound like "whar all" or "whereall." ★

Origin

Rooted in Scots-Irish and Midland English patterns brought to the American South. The "where 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 "whar all" or "whereall" in relaxed speech. You’ll hear it in questions like "Where all have y’all been?"

Kin Topics

Kin Words, Stories and More

Common Questions

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