Worser’n Anythin’

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "worser" is a nonstandard comparative of "worse." The phrase "worser than anything" intensifies the comparison to mean "far worse than anything."

#SouthernSayings #Appalachia #Measurements #DialectandGrammar #OldTimers #Southern

synonyms: much worse, worse by far, a sight worse

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I've heard 'worser than anything' all my life, but it's more of an old timers thing, and out in the country.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I've heard 'worser than anything' all my life, but it's more of an old timers thing, and out in the country.

Pronunciation

[WORE-ser] /ˈwɔːrsər/

Meaning & Usage

- Emphatic Comparative ("far worse than anything")

Mae:

That ice storm was worser than anything we’ve had in years.

Earl:

Took down half the ridge.

- General Nonstandard Comparative ("worse")

Hazel:

His cough’s gettin’ worser.

Ruby:

Needs to rest and keep warm.

variations: worser, worser ’n anything, worse than anything, worser than ever, worser off

★ "Worser" is attested in older English and survived in dialect speech. In the South/Appalachia it adds punch, much like "a sight worse" or "ten times worse." ★

Origin and Etymology

From Middle/early Modern English where double-marked comparatives like "worser" appeared in speech and literature. The form persisted in rural American varieties, including Southern and Appalachian English.

Usage Notes

Common in older and rural speech; younger speakers may switch to "worse" in writing but still say "worser" in casual talk. You’ll hear set collocations:

worser than anything - strongest emphasis
worser than ever - worse than before
worser off - in a worse state/condition

Say It Like a Southerner

Say it natural: often "worser ’n anything" with ’n for "than," or just "worser" by itself.

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Is "worser" incorrect?

It’s nonstandard in formal English, but long-standing and natural in regional speech.

Does "worser than anything" just mean "much worse"?

Yes - it’s an emphatic way to say "far worse than anything."

Is it still used today?

Yes, especially in casual Southern/Appalachian conversation and storytelling.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, October 5). Worser Than Anything. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/worser-than-anything
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Worser Than Anything." HillbillySlang.com, 5 Oct. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/worser-than-anything.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Worser Than Anything." HillbillySlang.com. October 5, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/worser-than-anything.

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