somewheres

In Appalachian and Southern country talk, "somewheres" is a nonstandard form of "somewhere," used to mean "in some place" without specifying exactly where.

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Hillbilly Dude Says...

I use 'somewheres' myself often.

Pronunciation

[sum-wairz]

Meaning & Usage

- In an Unspecified Place (adverb)

Ruby:

Where’s the screwdriver?

Earl:

It’s layin’ somewheres in the shed.

other spellings: somewheres, and somewhere’s

★ Adding the "-s" to "somewhere" is a dialect habit in many rural areas, especially in casual speech. It’s rarely written unless meant to capture that spoken flavor. ★

Origin

The extra "-s" ending in place words like "somewheres," "anywheres," and "nowheres" is a holdover from older English forms that survived in regional dialects, particularly in Appalachia and parts of the rural South.

Notes

You’ll hear "somewheres" most often in casual, everyday talk. In formal writing, the standard "somewhere" is used instead, but in dialogue or storytelling, the "-s" ending helps convey authentic regional voice.

Say It Like a Southerner

Say it in two quick syllables: SUM-wairz. The first part rhymes with "gum," not "come," and the second drops the "here" entirely - it’s just "wares." Keep it light and casual, like you’re talking in the middle of doing something else.

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Common Questions

Is "somewheres" wrong?

It’s nonstandard in formal English, but perfectly normal in many dialects.

Do other words get the same "-s" treatment?

Yes - you might hear "nowheres," "anywheres," and "everywheres" in the same communities.

Where is it most common?

In Appalachian regions, rural parts of the South, and in some Northern rural areas influenced by older English usage.

Do people outside the region understand it?

Yes - the meaning is clear from context, even if they don’t use it themselves.