waller
In Appalachian and Southern speech, "waller" means to roll around or sprawl out, usually in mud, dirt, or water. It can also mean sulking or lazing around, or kids and pets climbing all over you in a smothering way.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
I feel like with a litter of kids, their Momma might say, 'quit wallerin’ me!' twenty, thirty times a day. Pronunciation
[WAH-lur]
Meaning & Usage
- To roll or sprawl in mud or dirt (verb)
Mae:
Those hogs sure do love wallerin’ in that mud.
Those hogs sure do love wallerin’ in that mud.
Earl:
Keeps ’em cool on a hot day.
Keeps ’em cool on a hot day.- To sulk, laze, or stew in feelings (verb, figurative)
Mae:
He’s just wallerin’ again.
He’s just wallerin’ again.
Earl:
Reckon he’ll get over it sooner or later.
Reckon he’ll get over it sooner or later.- To crowd, climb on, or smother someone (verb)
Mae:
These young’uns been wallerin’ me all day, climbin’ and hangin’ on.
These young’uns been wallerin’ me all day, climbin’ and hangin’ on.
Earl:
That’s what you get for readin’ a book where they can see.
That’s what you get for readin’ a book where they can see.other spellings: wallow, roll around, sprawl, flounder, ``wallerin’ in the mud``, ``wallerin’ around``, ``wallerin’ me`` (kids or pets), and ``wallerin’`` (by itself, sulking)
★ Though related to "wallow," the hillbilly form "waller" is rougher and more playful. It’s the go-to word for hogs, kids, pets, and anybody makin’ a mess of themselves - or stewin’ in a mood. ★
Origin
From Old English *wealwian* ("to roll about"), which became "wallow." Appalachian and Southern speech shifted the form to "waller," a variant that stuck in rural talk.
Notes
Still widely heard in Appalachian and Southern families. Used for hogs in the mud, folks who are lazin’ or sulkin’, and kids or pets climbin’ all over somebody. Often said by itself: "He’s wallerin’," with no need to name what in.
Say It Like a Southerner
Say it loose: "wah-lur." The "er" often drops off: "wallerin’."