Appreciate You

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "Appreciate you" (often said "’preciate ya") is a warm, casual way of saying "Thank you" or "I appreciate what you did." Dropping the "I" makes it sound more direct and familiar.

#SouthernSayings #Appalachia #PeopleandRelationships #DialectandGrammar #Southern

Hillbilly Dude Says...

You'll hear ‘appreciate you’ instead of 'thank you' all day long around here.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

You'll hear ‘appreciate you’ instead of 'thank you' all day long around here.

Pronunciation

[’PREESH-ee-ate yuh] or [’PREESH-ate ya]

Meaning & Usage

- Informal thank-you; showing appreciation (phrase / greeting)

Mae:

Here’s your change.

Earl:

Appreciate you!

variations: I appreciate you, Appreciate ya, Appreciate it

★ "Appreciate you" is not just about gratitude - it’s about friendliness. The "you" makes it personal, a hallmark of Southern hospitality. ★

Origin and Etymology

Evolved from the standard "I appreciate it" but dropped the "I" and swapped "it" for "you." This shift is widely recognized as a Southern/Appalachian politeness formula documented in regional speech studies.

Usage Notes

Still extremely common throughout the South and Appalachia in everyday service and social interactions. Outside the region it’s rare and can sound distinctly Southern to non-locals.

Say It Like a Southerner

Said plain: "’preciate ya." Commonly heard in shops, restaurants, or friendly exchanges throughout the South.

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Does it literally mean "I appreciate you as a person"?

Often it’s just shorthand for "Thank you" or "I appreciate it," but it can also imply genuine personal appreciation.

Is it uniquely Southern?

Yes - dropping the "I" and using "you" is heavily marked as Southern/Appalachian speech.

Do people still use it today?

Absolutely - it’s one of the most common casual thank-yous in the South.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 15). Appreciate You. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/appreciate-you
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Appreciate You." HillbillySlang.com, 15 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/appreciate-you.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Appreciate You." HillbillySlang.com. September 15, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/appreciate-you.

advertisement...