   Don’t Rightly KnowIn Southern and Appalachian speech, "don’t rightly know" means "I don’t exactly know" or "I can’t say for certain." It reflects an older English use of rightly that survived in the hills and hollers. #SouthernSayings #Appalachia #DialectandGrammar #OldTimers #Southern synonyms: not sure, don’t exactly know, can’t say for certain Hillbilly Dude Says...  I do say 'I don’t rightly know' sometimes, but I'm mainly makin' fun of my own accent when I do. This one is more old timers. Hillbilly Dude Says... I do say 'I don’t rightly know' sometimes, but I'm mainly makin' fun of my own accent when I do. This one is more old timers. Pronunciation[Dohnt RAHHT-lee No] /doʊnt ˈraɪt.li noʊ/ Meaning & Usage- I don’t exactly know (phrase)
Elmer:
When’s the fish fry startin’?
Clara:
I don’t rightly know - sometime after supper.Origin and EtymologyBuilt from the older adverbial sense of rightly, meaning "truly" or "for certain." This phrasing has been common in Southern and Appalachian speech since at least the 19th century. Usage Notes
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