foundered

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "foundered" means overstuffed, sick, or laid up after eating too much. It comes from an older livestock term used for animals that overate or went lame.

#SouthernWords #Appalachia #Food&Drink #Southern #FarmTalk

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I didn't grow up hearin' 'foundered' that much - but I hear it a couple counties over. And you know about it if you ever have goats (which I do not recommend).

Pronunciation

[FOUN-derd]

Meaning & Usage

- Sick or stuffed from overeating (adjective, figurative)

Uncle Joe:

I’m foundered on beans and cornbread.

- In livestock: sick or lame from overeating (adjective)

Farmer:

Don’t let that horse at the grain - he’ll get foundered.

other spellings: overstuffed

★ When used of people, it’s lighthearted and a little humorous - like saying you "ate yourself miserable." ★

Origin

From the veterinary term for horses that became lame or sick after overeating grain. Farmers carried it over into country speech to describe people who overate.

Notes

Still heard in Appalachia and rural Southern areas. Less common in cities, but it’s instantly recognized by older generations and farm families.

Say It Like a Southerner

Said plain: "foun-derd." Rhymes with "floundered" without the "l."

Kin Topics

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Common Questions

Does "foundered" mean the same as "full"?

Not exactly - it means stuffed to the point of discomfort or sickness.

Is it only about food?

For people, yes. For animals, it can mean lameness or sickness from feed.

Do younger folks use it today?

Less often, but you’ll still hear it in farm country or passed down in family talk.