Gooder’n Snuff

A gooder than snuff is a Southern and Appalachian saying meaning mighty fine or better than good, often said to praise something done right.

#SouthernSayings #Appalachia #DialectandGrammar #OldTimers #Southern

synonyms: excellent, mighty good, real fine, better’n good

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I've only rarely heard 'gooder than snuff' over the years. So it may be more regional and old timers.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I've only rarely heard 'gooder than snuff' over the years. So it may be more regional and old timers.

Pronunciation

[GOO-der than snuhf]
/ˈɡʊ.dɚ ðən snʌf/

Meaning & Usage

- Exceptionally good; better than expected (saying)

Hazel:

How’s the cobbler, Pa?

Pa:

Gooder’n snuff and sweeter’n a Sunday hymn.

variations: gooder’n snuff, finer than snuff, better than snuff and not half as dusty

★ If someone says your cookin’s "gooder than snuff," that’s a high compliment - it means it’d make a preacher forget his sermon. ★

Origin and Etymology

This phrase dates back to at least the 1800s in rural Southern and Appalachian speech. "Snuff," a finely ground tobacco powder, was once prized and described as "fine," making it a natural measure of quality. Over time, locals turned it into a colorful compliment - "gooder than snuff" - with variants like "finer than snuff" and "better than snuff and not half as dusty." The playful grammar reflects regional dialect where "gooder" was common in everyday talk.

Usage Notes

Still heard across the South and Appalachia, especially among older speakers, gooder than snuff is used to praise food, weather, company, or any small pleasure. It’s cheerful, familiar, and proudly down-home - a saying that survived long after snuff itself faded from daily life.

Kin Topics

Common Questions

What does "gooder than snuff" mean?

It means very good - better than good - used to show strong approval or delight.

Why "snuff"?

Because snuff was once a prized tobacco, calling something "gooder than snuff" meant it was finer than something already considered top-notch.

Is it still said today?

Yes, mostly among Southerners and mountain folks who keep old expressions alive, often with a wink or a smile.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, October 18). Gooder Than Snuff. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/gooder-than-snuff
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Gooder Than Snuff." HillbillySlang.com, 18 Oct. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/gooder-than-snuff.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Gooder Than Snuff." HillbillySlang.com. October 18, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/gooder-than-snuff.