zonked out
"Zonked out" means totally exhausted or fast asleep. It’s more modern American slang than old Appalachian, but it’s a phrase plenty of folks in the hills still use.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
Pronunciation
[ZAWNKT out]
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Meaning & Usage
- To fall asleep quickly (verb phrase)
Mae:
Where’s Earl?
Ruby:
He zonked out in the recliner soon as he sat down.
- To be extremely tired or exhausted (verb phrase)
Mae:
These young’uns are zonked out from playin’ in the creek.
Earl:
Good - maybe they’ll sleep all night.
other spellings: zonk out, passed out, asleep, out cold, dog-tired, plumb wore out, ``dead to the world``, and ``knocked out``
★ "Zonked out" sounds a little more modern than old-time mountain talk, but it fits in easy - folks use it right alongside words like "plumb wore out" or "tuckered out." ★