In Appalachian and Southern speech, "around your elbow to get to your thumb" means taking an unnecessarily long or complicated way to do something simple. It’s a colorful folksy critique of inefficiency.
I'd say ‘around his elbow to get to his thumb' is more regional and old timers. Not sure I've ever heard this one in real life.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
I'd say ‘around his elbow to get to his thumb' is more regional and old timers. Not sure I've ever heard this one in real life.
Pronunciation
[uh-ROUND yer EL-bow tuh GIT tuh yer THUM]
Meaning & Usage
- Doing something the long or complicated way (idiom / humorous)
Describing a repair job
Mae:
Why’d he take three hours for a ten-minute job?
Earl:
He went around his elbow to get to his thumb.
variations: around your elbow to get to your ear, going the long way, taking the roundabout route
★ This expression pokes fun at someone who makes a simple task unnecessarily hard. Other regional versions use "ear" or "nose" instead of "thumb," but the meaning is the same. ★
Origin and Etymology
Documented in Southern and Appalachian folklore and humor collections. Likely derived from earlier English expressions about taking a roundabout path to reach a point on the body. Strongly associated with farm and small-town storytelling.
Usage Notes
Still heard among older Southerners and in Appalachian storytelling. Outside the region it’s rare but understandable from context.
Say It Like a Southerner
Said plain: "around your elbow to get to your thumb" - sometimes "around his elbow" or "around your elbow to get to your ear."
No - it’s figurative, about doing things the hard or roundabout way.
Are there other versions?
Yes - "around your elbow to get to your ear" and "around your elbow to get to your nose."
Do people still use it today?
Yes - mainly among older speakers or for humorous effect.
How to Cite This Page
APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 15). Around Your Elbow to Get to Your Thumb. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/around-your-elbow-to-get-to-your-thumb
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Around Your Elbow to Get to Your Thumb." HillbillySlang.com, 15 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/around-your-elbow-to-get-to-your-thumb.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Around Your Elbow to Get to Your Thumb." HillbillySlang.com. September 15, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/around-your-elbow-to-get-to-your-thumb.
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I'd say ‘around his elbow to get to his thumb' is more regional and old timers. Not sure I've ever heard this one in real life.