Gooder Than Grits

Gooder than grits is a playful Southern and Appalachian saying meaning something is especially good or satisfying. It compares goodness to grits, a beloved Southern staple, and uses the humorous nonstandard "gooder" for effect. Likely based on the much older 'Gooder'n Snuff.'

#Southernish

synonyms: better than anything, mighty good, real tasty

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I never heard "gooder’n grits" growin’ up, but I’ve picked it up here and there since. Feels like one of those newer folksy ones that caught on just ’cause it sounds right.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I never heard "gooder’n grits" growin’ up, but I’ve picked it up here and there since. Feels like one of those newer folksy ones that caught on just ’cause it sounds right.

Pronunciation

[GOOD-er thun GRITS]
/ˈɡʊdər ðən ɡrɪts/

Meaning & Usage

- Very good or satisfying (simile)

Clara:

How’s that cobbler?

Elmer:

It’s gooder than grits, that’s for sure.

variations: gooder’n grits

Origin

The phrase likely developed in the mid-20th century or later as a humorous twist on the Southern staple grits. The use of "gooder," a nonstandard comparative, gives it a playful, down-home sound. It doesn’t appear in early dialect collections, suggesting it’s a modern folkism rather than a historic proverb.

Verdict: Modern and playful, but not truly Southern in origin.

Notes

Used in a lighthearted, often food-related context.
Recognized as Southern/Appalachian in flavor but not found in older sources.
Appears mostly in modern compilations and humor blogs rather than 19th-century dialect writing.
Best seen as a newer folk expression inspired by traditional Southern speech.

Common Questions

What does "gooder than grits" mean?

It means something is very good, satisfying, or enjoyable.

Is "gooder" correct grammar?

It’s nonstandard and deliberately playful, part of the charm of the phrase.

Is this an old Southern saying?

No, it’s more modern-20th century onward-though it borrows from older Southern speech patterns.

Why grits?

Grits are a Southern staple and symbol of comfort, making them the perfect benchmark for "good."

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, November 2). Gooder Than Grits. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southernish/gooder-than-grits
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Gooder Than Grits." HillbillySlang.com, 2 Nov. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southernish/gooder-than-grits.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Gooder Than Grits." HillbillySlang.com. November 2, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southernish/gooder-than-grits.