As I was leaving the house today, I told hubby’s caregiver that Bill the handyman was coming to do some work.

“He’s mainly going to work outside,” I said, “but if he needs anything or wants to come in the house for anything, it’s okay. Bill is good people.

Bill clearly has the regular arrangement of body parts alloted to one human. And I teach English, so I know that “people” is a plural form. So what gives?

As I pondered this expression on my way to this year’s graduation ceremony, I decided that I stood by it, that I’d say it to a person of any academic rank, including my fellow English professors or the college president. Further, to call Bill a “good person” would not convey the same information and would not suit my purpose.

So what’s the difference between “Bill is good people” and “Bill is a good person”?

To say that Bill is a good person suggests a degree of knowledge about him that I really don’t have. It suggests that I know personal details of his life and know how he handles his moral dilemmas. I don’t.

To say he is “good people,” on the other hand, suggests that I trust him and like him, and that I have known him long enough to be pretty sure that my trust and liking are not misplaced. All of that is true.

I am not sure if this is strictly a Southern expression, or if other people in the U.S. (Canada, Tink?) use it, too.

Do you use it? Have you heard it? Inquiring minds want to know.