Drug

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "drug" is the nonstandard past tense of "drag." It’s a hallmark regional form that turns up in everyday talk, storytelling, and even court transcripts.

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Hillbilly Dude Says...

We all day 'drug' around here, it's a normal part of conversation (because we're always havin' to drag somethin').

Hillbilly Dude Says...

We all day 'drug' around here, it's a normal part of conversation (because we're always havin' to drag somethin').

Pronunciation

[DRUHG]

Meaning & Usage

- Past tense of "drag" (dialect verb form)

Mae:

How’d you get that couch out?

Earl:

I drug it out by myself.

variations: dragged (standard form)

★ "Drug" as the past tense of "drag" survives strongly in Southern/Appalachian English. It follows the same pattern as "brung" (for "brought") and "knowed" (for "knew"), showing how dialect speech preserves older or analogical verb forms. ★

Origin and Etymology

"Drug" was once widely used in older English as the past tense of "drag" (like "dig/dug"). Over time, "dragged" became standard, but "drug" persisted in regional speech and is noted in Appalachian dialect studies.

Usage Notes

Still common in rural Southern and Appalachian speech. Recognized nationwide but often marked as informal or dialectal.

Say It Like a Southerner

Said plain: "drug" - rhymes with "hug."

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Is "drug" only a noun for medicine?

In standard English, yes, but in Southern/Appalachian speech "drug" also serves as the past tense of "drag."

Where do you hear it?

Throughout the South, Appalachia, and in some Midwestern rural areas.

Is it accepted in formal writing?

No - it’s a dialect feature, mainly used in speech or to convey local color in writing.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 20). Drug. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/drug
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Drug." HillbillySlang.com, 20 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/drug.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Drug." HillbillySlang.com. September 20, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/drug.