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You Talk About

In Southern and Appalachian speech, "You talk about..." or "You talkin’ ’bout..." is a way to praise, agree, or emphasize something strongly. It means "Now that’s really something" or "That sure is a good one."

#SouthernSayings   #Appalachia   #DialectandGrammar   #Southern

Pronunciation

[YOO taw-kuhn ’bout] /ju ˈtɔː.kən baʊt/

Meaning & Usage

- Used for emphatic agreement or praise

After supper
Mama:
That cornbread turned out just right.

Earl:
You talk about good eatin’!

variations: you talkin’ ’bout, you talkin bout, you talk about

Origin and Etymology

Comes from an older English expression, "Now you’re talking," used to show strong approval. Southern and Appalachian speakers naturally clipped it into "You talk about" or "You talkin’ ’bout," turning it into an exclamatory phrase of agreement or admiration.

Usage Notes

Heard across the South and Appalachia, usually as a friendly or excited response. Tone depends on context-often humorous or admiring.

  • "You talk about good fishin’!" → That’s really good fishin’.
  • "You talkin’ ’bout cold-it was 12 degrees." → It sure was cold.
  • "You talk about sweet tea." → This is the best kind.
Non-Southerners might take it literally ("you are talking about""), but it’s meant figuratively as a verbal underline or exclamation.

Kin Topics

Related Pages

Common Questions

What does "you talk about" mean in Southern speech?
It’s an exclamation meaning "That’s really something" or "That’s a fine example."
Is it still used today?
Yes, every day-it’s one of the friendliest ways to agree or compliment someone.
What’s the difference between "you talk about" and "you talkin’ ’bout"?
None in meaning; "talkin’ ’bout" is the more natural spoken version.

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