Your Druthers Is My Druthers

In Appalachian & Southern speech, your druthers is my druthers means your preference is also my preference, a friendly way of saying "I’ll go along with whatever you choose." It’s a natural extension of the regional word druthers, meaning "one’s rather" or personal choice.

#SouthernSayings #Appalachia #Southern

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I'm not sure I've heard 'your druthers is my druthers' &mdash but my Momma always used the word 'druthers.' We even used to have a Druthers restaurant in the south back in the day.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I'm not sure I've heard 'your druthers is my druthers' &mdash but my Momma always used the word 'druthers.' We even used to have a Druthers restaurant in the south back in the day.

Pronunciation

[YER DRUH-thurz iz MY DRUH-thurz]
/jɝ ˈdrʌ.ðərz ɪz maɪ ˈdrʌ.ðərz/

Meaning & Usage

- Agreeing to someone else’s preference (saying)

Mae:

Mexican or burgers tonight?

Earl:

Your druthers is my druthers. I’ll eat whatever you’re hungry for.

- Showing easygoing agreement or cooperation

Mae:

You wanna watch a movie or go for a drive?

Earl:

Your druthers is my druthers, long as we’re together.

★ This saying works because druthers is already baked into Southern and Appalachian rhythm. If you use it once in a conversation, folks’ll smile - use the whole phrase and they’ll know you were raised right. ★

Origin and Etymology

"Druthers" comes from older pronunciations of "I’d rather," heard historically as "I’d ruther" and later compressed to "druther" or "druthers." The term is well documented in Appalachian, Ozark, and broader Southern English since the 19th century. The extended expression "your druthers is my druthers" appears in oral speech rather than print, reflecting a regional conversational style rather than a fixed national idiom.

Usage Notes

The phrase shows up in relaxed conversation, especially among older speakers or families with deep regional roots. It expresses cooperation, warmth, and an easygoing attitude. The structure mirrors everyday Southern and Appalachian speech patterns: turning "rather" into "druthers" and building a friendly parallel phrase around it.

Often used to keep decision-making light ("Whatever you want is fine").
Pairs naturally with planning food, chores, travel, or evening plans.
Rare outside the South and Appalachia unless used intentionally for folksy effect.
Still understood even when the listener doesn’t use "druthers" themselves.

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Is "druthers" itself Southern?

Yes - it’s strongly associated with Appalachian and Southern English, though known elsewhere as a regionalism.

Is this a common fixed saying?

It appears mainly in spoken, informal Southern/Appalachian conversation, not in nationwide print sources.

Does it always mean "I agree"?

Not exactly - it means "I’ll go with your preference," a cooperative choice rather than full agreement.

Can it be shortened?

Yes. People often say "Whatever your druthers are" or simply "My druthers? Not many today."

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, November 24). Your Druthers Is My Druthers. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/your-druthers-is-my-druthers
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Your Druthers Is My Druthers." HillbillySlang.com, 24 Nov. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/your-druthers-is-my-druthers.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Your Druthers Is My Druthers." HillbillySlang.com. November 24, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/your-druthers-is-my-druthers.