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Do What? Play audio

In Appalachian and Southern talk, "Do what?" or "Do what now?" is a common way of saying "Pardon?" or "What did you say?" It’s not a real question about doing something - it’s just a request to repeat or clarify.

#SouthernSayings   #Appalachia   #DialectandGrammar   #Southern

Hillbilly Dude Says...
For me, 'do what"' is a lot like 'misewell' and 'right quick' - I forget it's hillbilly in conversations with the nons. Use it all the time. 
Hillbilly Dude Says...
For me, 'do what"' is a lot like 'misewell' and 'right quick' - I forget it's hillbilly in conversations with the nons. Use it all the time. 

Pronunciation

[doo WHUT?]
/ˈduː.wɑʔt/

Meaning & Usage

- Asking someone to repeat (phrase)

Mae:
He’s comin’ Tuesday.
Earl:
Do what?
variations: do what now?
★ Don’t take "Do what?" literally - nobody’s asking you to do anything. It’s just a regional way of asking you to repeat yourself. ★

Origin and Etymology

The phrase "Do what?" likely developed in Southern and Appalachian English as a clipped way of saying "Do what now?" or "Do what you said?" Over time, it lost any real connection to "doing" and settled into meaning "I didn’t hear you."

Usage Notes

"Do what?" is extremely common in the South and Appalachia, but can confuse outsiders who expect a literal request. A longer version, "Do what now?," softens it and adds a touch of politeness, but both mean the same thing: "I didn’t hear you."

Say It Like a Southerner

Play audio Say it quick and curious: "doo WHUT?" The tone, not the words, tells you it’s about hearing, not about doing.

Kin Topics

Related Pages

Common Questions

Does "Do what?" mean someone didn’t understand?
Yes - it’s a request for you to repeat yourself.
Is it used outside the South?
Rarely. Outside Appalachia or the South, it may sound odd or confusing.
Is it rude?
Not usually. Tone makes the difference - it’s as polite as "Huh?" or "What’d you say?"
Is it still used today?
Absolutely. It’s a very common regionalism in everyday speech.

How to Cite This Page

  • APA (7th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, October 6). Do What?. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/do-what
  • MLA (9th edition)
    "The Hillbilly Dude." "Do What?." HillbillySlang.com, 6 Oct. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/do-what.
  • Chicago (17th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. "Do What?." HillbillySlang.com. October 6, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/do-what.
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