Big Toe, Little Toe - That’s All I Know

In Southern and Appalachian speech, "Big toe, little toe - that’s all I know" is a playful way to end a conversation or admit you don’t know much about a subject. It’s a rhyming, good-humored phrase common in older rural families.

#SouthernSayings #Appalachia #PeopleandRelationships #Southern

synonyms: that’s all I know, don’t know much, can’t say no more

Hillbilly Dude Says...

Growin' up, my Momma would respond with 'big toe, little toe - that’s all I know' sometimes. I do remember vividly askin' her about it when I was a young'un; she said she heard her sister say it.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

Pronunciation

[BI-yug tow, LID-duhl tow -
at’s AWL ah nuh-owe]
/ˈba.jʊɡ toʊ ˈlɪd.dəl toʊ ðæts ˈɑːl a ˈnʌ.oʊ/

Meaning & Usage

- Humorous admission of ignorance (expression)

Hazel:

You reckon it’s gonna rain again?

Roy:

Big toe, little toe - that’s all I know.

variations: big toe little toe that’s all I know, big toe an’ little toe

★ In some rare cases - when you hear somebody use this one - it may literally be all they know. ★

Origin and Etymology

A rhyming folk expression rooted in Appalachian and Southern oral tradition. Used when someone has said all they can on a subject, or as a playful way to avoid answering. The rhythm and sing-song pattern reflect the region’s storytelling humor and love of rhyme.

Usage Notes

Common in older rural speech and remembered by many who grew up in the South or mountains.

Used to close a conversation or dodge a question.
Delivers humility and humor in equal measure.
Follows the same playful rhythm found in nursery-style rhymes and "Grannyisms."

Kin Topics

Common Questions

What does "Big toe, little toe - that’s all I know" mean?

It’s a humorous way of saying you don’t know anything else or don’t have an answer.

Is it Southern?

Yes - it’s a genuine Southern and Appalachian rhyme passed down through families.

Is it still used today?

Mostly by older speakers, though many remember hearing parents or grandparents say it.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, October 18). Big Toe, Little Toe - That’s All I Know. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/big-toe-little-toe-thats-all-i-know
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Big Toe, Little Toe - That’s All I Know." HillbillySlang.com, 18 Oct. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/big-toe-little-toe-thats-all-i-know.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Big Toe, Little Toe - That’s All I Know." HillbillySlang.com. October 18, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/big-toe-little-toe-thats-all-i-know.