Dice
 
 
 
 
 
Next post.
Previous post.

All Over Creation

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "all over creation" means scattered everywhere, or covering a wide area. It’s often said when someone or something ranges far and wide, usually making a mess along the way.

#SouthernSayings   #Appalachia   #TravelandLocation

synonyms: all over the place
Hillbilly Dude Says...
When I was little, my Momma mighta said, 'traipsin all over creation.' This one still persists. 
Hillbilly Dude Says...
When I was little, my Momma mighta said, 'traipsin all over creation.' This one still persists. 

Pronunciation

[all over kree-AY-shun]

Meaning & Usage

- Everywhere, scattered far and wide (saying)

Mae:
I looked all over creation for that hammer.
Earl:
Check the barn - you prob’ly left it there.

- Running around everywhere (saying)

Mae:
They’ve been runnin’ all over creation today.
Earl:
Oughta sleep good tonight.
★ The phrase usually carries a little exasperation - folks say it when something’s spread too far, or when someone’s been busy in every direction. ★

Origin and Etymology

"All over creation" goes back at least to the 1800s in American English. Farm and rural life reinforced the image, since "creation" meant the whole wide world. Appalachia and the South adopted it into everyday speech.

Usage Notes

Still very common in Appalachian and Southern talk, though not unique to the region. Often used in family life and farm talk for messes, errands, or scatterbrained activity.

Say It Like a Southerner

Say it steady: "all over creation." Works best with a sigh or shake of the head.

Kin Topics

Related Pages

Common Questions

Does it literally mean the whole world?
Figuratively, yes - it means everywhere, not just one spot.
Is it only Appalachian?
No - it’s a shared American saying, but deeply rooted in rural and Southern talk.
Do people still use it today?
Yes - it’s still a go-to phrase for being scattered or all over the place.

How to Cite This Page

  • APA (7th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, October 3). All Over Creation. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/all-over-creation
  • MLA (9th edition)
    "The Hillbilly Dude." "All Over Creation." HillbillySlang.com, 3 Oct. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/all-over-creation.
  • Chicago (17th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. "All Over Creation." HillbillySlang.com. October 3, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/all-over-creation.
advertisement...
Most Popular
Latest Accents
Latest Sayings
Latest Words
About
Created by The Hillbilly Dude, this site is a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia but reaching across the world. Every slang word, saying, accent and story is gathered from first-hand experience and trusted sources. The goal: preserve authentic voices and share them with writers, learners, and culture lovers everywhere - with a little humor thrown in here and there. Read more...
Slang, folklore, culture, and accent vary from place to place, even ridge to ridge - this is how I know it. Read the full disclaimer and terms of use • Privacy Policy
© Hillbilly Slang | Original audio and content not for reproduction or AI training without permission. Keeping the Mountains Talking 'Til The Cows Come Home