   What You Know Good?In Southern and Appalachian speech, "What You Know Good?" is a classic greeting meaning "What’s new?" or "What’s going on?" - a way of asking for news or good happenings. #SouthernSayings #Appalachia #PeopleandRelationships #Southern Hillbilly Dude Says...  You’ll hear 'what you know good?,' it's plenty common down here. Hillbilly Dude Says... You’ll hear 'what you know good?,' it's plenty common down here. Pronunciation[WHAT-ya KNOW good] /ˈwʌtʃə noʊ ɡʊd/ Meaning & Usage- A friendly greeting or request for news (expression)
Maggie:
Whatcha know good?
Earl:
Not much - just tending the garden.variations: What’s New?, Tell Me Some Good News, How’s Everything?, What’s Going On? ★ This greeting reflects a common Southern/Appalachian habit of phrasing questions in a playful, indirect way. Instead of asking "How are you?" or "What’s new?" speakers say "What you know good?" - expecting the listener to share something upbeat or interesting. ★ Origin and EtymologyRecorded in dialect collections and rural Southern newspapers since the early 20th century. Likely developed as a natural extension of English question forms, with "good" serving as an informal intensifier. Usage NotesStill widely heard among older speakers and in small towns across the South and Appalachia. Outside the region it sounds quaint or unfamiliar but is easily understood in context. Say It Like a SouthernerSay it natural: "Whatcha know good?" - sometimes "What ya know good?" or "What you know good?" in everyday speech. The "good" is usually stressed at the end. | ...
About Created by The Hillbilly Dude, this site is a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia but reaching across the world. Every slang word, saying, accent and story is gathered from first-hand experience and trusted sources. The goal: preserve authentic voices and share them with writers, learners, and culture lovers everywhere - with a little humor thrown in here and there. Read more... |