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Who All

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

#SouthernSayings   #Appalachia   #Southern

synonyms: which people, everybody, all the people

Pronunciation

[HOO AWL] /huː ɑːl/

Meaning & Usage

- Inclusive Question (People) (pronoun phrase)

Asking for the whole group
Ruby:
Who all is coming to the barn dance?

Mae:
The whole family and the neighbors too.

variations: whoall, wh’all, who alls
★ Adding "all" after "who" broadens the question to ask about every person - a distinctive feature of Southern/Appalachian English. In quick speech it can sound like "wh’all" or "whoall." ★

Origin

Rooted in Scots-Irish and Midland English patterns brought to the American South. The "who 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 "wh’all" or "whoall" in relaxed speech. You’ll hear it in questions like "Who all’s goin’?"

Kin Topics

Kin Words, Stories and More

Common Questions

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