y'all

Etymology
, and/or  from. Attested since at least 1631.

Compare (originally ) for a similar development of a new plural pronoun out of Proto-Germanic  that originally was already plural.

Usage notes

 * The form is heard primarily in the Southern United States, and nationwide in AAVE. It is also found among Indian speakers of South African English, and parts of the Carribean. Recently, the form has begun to be used by other American English speakers, as well, and even non-American English speakers to a lesser extent, though still less commonly than . For other second-personal plural pronouns, see .
 * In the past, y'all was never used as a proper singular, but it may have been used with an implied plural, e.g. "you [and your team]," "you [and your coworkers]," "you [and your family]." Due to a cultural shift in the United States by non-Southerners using the word, it is now rarely also used as a singular you, although most (increasing) non-Southern / non-AAVE use is, like Southern and AAVE use, plural.
 * Notwithstanding its etymology, the in  is merely a plural marker, not a quantifier. Thus, just as  may refer either to some of us or all of us in standard English,  may refer either to some of y'all or to all [of] y'all.
 * Y'all may not be considered informal speech, but is also not considered formal -- You all would, to a few, be considered more formal, but is not required in formal situations nor is it encouraged.

Related terms

 * (definitely plural)
 * ,, etc
 * ,, etc

Verb

 * 1)  To use the pronoun "y'all" (to).

Determiner

 * 1) The group spoken or written to.
 * Have y'all ladies finished eating?
 * 1)   Your ; y'all's
 * I need y'all help for a minute.