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.

#SouthernWords #Appalachia #Southern #FarmTalk

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?

Earl:

Down in the bottom land - soil’s good and black.

- Low-lying land that often floods (noun)

Mae:

That house floods every spring.

Earl:

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."

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Is "bottom land" the same as "lowlands"?

Not exactly - "bottom land" usually means land by a river or creek, while "lowlands" is broader.

Do people still farm bottom land?

Yes - it’s still some of the best soil for crops, though flood risk remains.

Why say "the bottoms"?

It’s a shorthand - locals often call bottom land simply "the bottoms."

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 2). Bottom Land. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/bottom-land
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Bottom Land." HillbillySlang.com, 2 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/bottom-land.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Bottom Land." HillbillySlang.com. September 2, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/bottom-land.