"Shoddy" is a Southern-used but nationally known word meaning poorly made, cheap, or carelessly done. In Southern and Appalachian speech, it often carries a moral edge-implying the person didn’t take pride in the work.
Even though you don't call a person 'shoddy,' it's really about their work. They don't take pride in it, they don't care at all. So there's a disappointment in it.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
Even though you don't call a person 'shoddy,' it's really about their work. They don't take pride in it, they don't care at all. So there's a disappointment in it.
Pronunciation
[SHAH-dee]
/ˈʃɒ.di/ ~ /ˈʃɑ.di/
Meaning & Usage
- Poor quality or workmanship (adjective)
Quality complaint
Mae:
That’s a shoddy piece of work if I ever saw one.
Earl:
Didn’t even sand it proper.
- Careless or dishonest behavior (adjective, figurative)
Character judgment
Mae:
He promised he’d fix it and didn’t-mighty shoddy of him.
Earl:
A man’s word oughta mean somethin’.
variations: shoddily, shoddiness
★ In the South, calling something "shoddy" isn’t just about quality-it’s about character. You’re really saying, "They didn’t put their heart in it." ★
Origin and Etymology
The word "shoddy" first appeared in early-19th-century Britain for textile made from recycled wool. It reached the United States by the Civil War, when cheap army uniforms and supplies were condemned as "shoddy goods." Although not Southern-born, the term became deeply rooted in Southern and Appalachian speech, where it gained a moral undertone: anything done halfway, without pride or proper effort, could be called shoddy.
Usage Notes
Nationwide English, but used in Southern and Appalachian speech with stronger emotional weight.
Elsewhere, "shoddy" usually means low quality; regionally it also means lazy, careless, or not raised right.
Reflects the regional link between craftsmanship and integrity-poor work suggests poor character.
No. It’s understood nationwide, but Southerners use it more pointedly to judge effort and pride, not just workmanship.
Where did it come from?
It began as British textile slang for recycled wool cloth and entered American English during the Civil War.
Does it always imply something bad?
Yes-whether a sloppy job or a sorry attitude, "shoddy" means it fell short of what’s decent.
How to Cite This Page
APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, October 17). Shoddy. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/shoddy
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Shoddy." HillbillySlang.com, 17 Oct. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/shoddy.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Shoddy." HillbillySlang.com. October 17, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/shoddy.
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Created by a true, actual, proper, real-life hillbilly, HillbillySlang is a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia but reaching across the world. Every slang word, saying, accent and story is gathered from first-hand experience and trusted sources. The goal: preserve authentic voices and share them with writers, learners, and culture lovers everywhere - with a little humor thrown in here and there. Read more...
Even though you don't call a person 'shoddy,' it's really about their work. They don't take pride in it, they don't care at all. So there's a disappointment in it. 
