I Tell You What’s the Truth

Hello, you have A Way with Words. Hey, Martha, this is Libby from Kentucky.

What’s on your mind today, Libby? Well, my daddy, growing up, he always said this saying that whether he was, you know, telling a story or agreeing or disagreeing with someone, he would say, I’ll tell you what’s the truth. Like, Martha looked pretty at service today. And he would say, yeah, tell you what’s the truth. She sure did. I did not know if that was a family saying or if that was regional or things like that.

I tell you what’s the truth.

So that comes before whatever the statement is that he’s saying? Yes, ma’am. Yes. Yeah, that’s a regional. I’m assuming he’s from eastern Kentucky or North Carolina?

Well, if he was still alive, he would be in his hundreds. And he grew up in Sevierville, Tennessee. And then his family, of course, he did not grow up. He was born in Surveilville. And then they moved to Middlesbrough, Kentucky.

This expression, I’ll tell you what’s the truth, is particular to that part of the country. It shows up in the Dictionary of Southern Appalachian English. But if you find fiction and personal narrative and folklore, a variety of places, there is almost always a connection to North Carolina or Eastern Kentucky.

But yeah, I tell you what’s the truth is very similar to an expression that more people probably have heard, which is, I’ll tell you what, which people might recognize from the cartoon King of the Hill said by the main character, Hank Hill. I’ll tell you what.

So these two expressions are very similar. I think it’s great. And it sounds exactly like I was hoping. But like I said, I didn’t even know I said that until a friend of mine from Indiana said, I love the way you say, I’ll tell you what’s the truth. And I didn’t know I said it. You know, and then I thought, Lord, if Martha and Grant ask if my kids say it, I don’t know because I don’t, you know, I don’t hear it.

When Grant said that, you know, they use this expression, I’ll tell you what, on this TV show, I’m thinking, why are we even talking about this? I use it all the time. I’ll tell you what.

Yeah. But you’re also from Kentucky, Martha. I tell you what’s the truth.

Yeah. I’ll tell you what’s the truth.

Yeah, I don’t say that. But it’s so interesting that, you know, when somebody points out an expression that you use that you just think is, you know, the way everybody talks. But I guess not.

I’ll tell you what’s the truth, Libby. It’s been a delight to have you on the show.

Well, I appreciate y’all so much. And I appreciate how supportive you are, all are, of the Appalachian community and all cultural. And I appreciate that so much. Thank you very much.

We’re trying. We try harder every week. Thank you, and take care of yourself, Libby.

Okay, you too. Bye-bye.

Bye-bye.

Bye-bye.

How do they talk out your way?

We’d love to hear about it. You can call us at 877-929-9673 to talk about it with us, or send us an email, words@waywordradio.org.