Stout

In Southern and Appalachian speech, stout means strong or overpowering in smell, taste, or intensity - not just sturdy or heavy. A "stout" odor or flavor is one that’s too strong to handle.

#SouthernWords #Appalachia #FoodandDrink #Southern

synonyms: strong, potent, pungent, overpowering

Hillbilly Dude Says...

'Stout' can still describe the strength or stature of a person. But out in the country, 'stout' is often for smells or flavors that are a little overboard.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

'Stout' can still describe the strength or stature of a person. But out in the country, 'stout' is often for smells or flavors that are a little overboard.

Pronunciation

[STOUT]
/staʊt/

Meaning & Usage

- Strong or overpowering (adjective)

Lou:

You want a bite of this deer jerky?

Ivy:

No thank you - them things are too stout for me.

- Sturdy or heavy-built (general English sense)

Frank:

He’s a stout old man - still splits wood every morning.

variations: none

★ When a Southerner calls something "stout," they don’t mean strong in a good way - they mean it’s too strong. If it burns your nose or makes your eyes water, it’s stout. ★

Origin and Etymology

The word stout comes from Middle English and Old French, originally meaning "strong" or "brave." In the American South and Appalachia, it took on a sensory meaning, applied to smells, flavors, or fumes that were too powerful or biting. The shift likely came from rural life, where strong tobacco, cleaning agents, and home cooking made "stout" the perfect shorthand for anything overwhelming to the senses.

Usage Notes

This Southern sense of stout is rarely heard outside the region. Most English speakers elsewhere use it only for body size or strength. In the South, though, it’s a go-to word for describing anything that hits too hard - a sharp smell, a bitter bite, or a heavy flavor.

Kin Topics

Common Questions

What does "stout" mean in the South?

It means strong, pungent, or overpowering - especially a smell or taste that’s too much.

Do people outside the South say "stout" that way?

No. That usage is Southern/Appalachian. Elsewhere it usually means sturdy, thick, or strong-bodied.

Can "stout" be a compliment?

Sometimes - but usually it’s a warning. "That coffee’s stout" means pour it light or brace yourself.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, October 19). Stout. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/stout
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Stout." HillbillySlang.com, 19 Oct. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/stout.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Stout." HillbillySlang.com. October 19, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/stout.