"Rurnt" is Appalachian for "ruined" - but not just any ruined. It’s used for something thoroughly spoiled, broken, or beyond saving, whether it’s food, a situation, or someone’s manners.
★ If your granny says your biscuits are "rurnt," they’re not getting served. ★
Origin
Likely a dialectal alteration of "ruined," influenced by rapid or slurred pronunciation in Southern and Appalachian speech. Similar forms like "ruint" and "ru’nt" have been documented for centuries in rural English.
Notes
"Rurnt" carries extra emphasis compared to "ruined." It’s often delivered with a particular drawl and stress, making it clear the damage - whether physical or figurative - is total.
Yes. It’s still used in Appalachian and Southern speech when something is especially ruined.
Where did "rurnt" originate?
It’s a regional variant of "ruined" that has been passed down through generations. While its exact origin is uncertain, it likely stems from older rural pronunciations preserved in the mountains.
How to Cite This Page
APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, August 7). Rurnt. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/rurnt
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Rurnt." HillbillySlang.com, 7 Aug. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/rurnt.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Rurnt." HillbillySlang.com. August 7, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/rurnt.
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