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.

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 and Etymology

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.

Usage 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.

Kin Topics

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.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 29). Gom. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/gom
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Gom." HillbillySlang.com, 29 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/gom.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Gom." HillbillySlang.com. September 29, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/gom.

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