Gom

In Southern and Appalachian speech, "gom" means a mess, tangle, or disorderly situation. It can also describe someone who’s clumsy or making a fuss.

#SouthernWords #Appalachia #Southern

synonyms: mess, tangle, clutter, confusion

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I didn't hear phrases like 'that drawer’s a pure gom' growin' up, but it's common a couple counties over. So I'm going to say it's more regional, but common in those regions.

Pronunciation

[GAHM] /ɡɑm/

Meaning & Usage

- A mess, tangle, or fuss (noun)

Hazel:

What happened to this yarn?

Earl:

It’s all in a gom. I’ll never get it straightened out.

- To mess up or make a tangle (verb, chiefly used in phrases like ‘gommed up’)

Hazel:

Don’t gom it up, now - I just fixed it.

variations: gaum (less common spelling)

★ "Gom" as a noun means a mess; "gommed up" works as the verb phrase - both are common in Appalachian talk. ★

Origin

From Scots-Irish dialect, where "gaum" meant "sense" or "attention." In Appalachia, the meaning shifted over the 19th century toward "mess" or "tangle," becoming a distinct regionalism.

Notes

Most common in Appalachia (Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, West Virginia).
Still heard from older speakers; younger generations may recognize it but use it less often.
Appears in both noun and verb forms, but the noun ("a gom") is most common.

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Common Questions

What does "gom" mean?

A mess, tangle, or disorder - either of objects or a situation.

Is "gom" Southern?

Yes. It’s especially Appalachian, rooted in Scots-Irish dialect carried to the mountains.

What about "gommed up"?

That’s the verb form, meaning messed up or tangled. Often used as a saying.

Do people still use it today?

Yes, especially in Appalachian communities, though it’s less common outside the region.