right quick

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "right quick" means very quickly or real fast. It’s a folksy intensifier that makes "quick" even quicker.

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Hillbilly Dude Says...

I'd say 'right quick' is one of those I use everday.

Pronunciation

[RAHT kwik]

Meaning & Usage

- Very Quickly / Fast (adverb)

Earl:

You reckon you can fix that hinge?

Estel:

Yep, I’ll get it done right quick.

Ruby:

Where’s Mae off to?

Earl:

She just went down the road right quick.

other spellings: right quick, and rite quick

★ "Right" is a favorite Appalachian intensifier. Stick it before "quick" to show you mean business - fast, but not rushed. ★

Origin

English speakers have been using "right" as an intensifier since the Middle Ages ("right good," "right fine"). In Appalachian and Southern dialects, "right quick" became a standard way to mean "real fast."

Notes

Still common in rural and Southern speech. Often used for everyday errands, chores, or anything that doesn’t take long. Friendlier than "real quick" and a touch more old-fashioned.

Say It Like a Southerner

Say "right" sharp and clipped, then roll "quick" right after it. In mountain speech it flows together easy: "rah-kwik."

Kin Topics

Kin Words, Stories and More

Fixin'

Common Questions

Is "right quick" different from "real quick"?

They mean the same thing, but "right quick" is more Appalachian / Southern flavored.

Do people still use it today?

Absolutely - you’ll hear it from older folks, but it’s still alive in everyday talk.

Is it formal English?

Not really. It’s considered informal and regional, though widely understood.

Can it mean "immediately"?

Sometimes - but usually it just means "very quickly," not "this instant."