Bottom Land
In Appalachian and Southern speech, "bottom land" (or bottomland) means the flat, fertile ground along a river, creek, or hollow. Known for rich soil from flooding, it was prized for farming.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
I can't count how many times my Dad has pointed out 'bottom land.' I do the same thing. Hillbilly Dude Says...
I can't count how many times my Dad has pointed out 'bottom land.' I do the same thing. Pronunciation
[BAH-dum land]
Meaning & Usage
- Flat, fertile land by a river or creek (noun)
Mae:
Where you plantin’ beans?
Where you plantin’ beans?
Earl:
Down in the bottom land - soil’s good and black.
Down in the bottom land - soil’s good and black.- Low-lying land that often floods (noun)
Mae:
That house floods every spring.
That house floods every spring.
Earl:
It’s settin’ in the bottom land.
It’s settin’ in the bottom land.variations: bottomland, river bottom, low ground, rich land, the bottoms, bottom fields, lowlands
★ Bottom land was some of the best farmland in Appalachia and the South - but risky, since floods could wipe out a crop in one night. ★
Origin and Etymology
From "bottom," meaning the lowest ground. Settlers in Appalachia and the South used "bottom land" for the flat ground along rivers and creeks, where silt deposits made the soil extra fertile.
Usage Notes
Still widely recognized in rural Appalachia, the South, and farm country. Farmers value bottom land for its richness, though it’s also prone to flooding.
Say It Like a Southerner
Said plain: "bah-dum land." In fast speech, "bottom" often flattens to "bah-dum."