Drunk as Cooter Brown

In Southern and Appalachian speech, "Drunk as Cooter Brown" means very drunk or intoxicated - a vivid regional expression with a story behind it.

#SouthernSayings #Appalachia #Southern

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I didn't hear 'drunk as Cooter Brown' growin' up, but - like some others - you can hear it a couple counties over. So it must be regional.

Pronunciation

[DRUNK as COO-ter BROWN] /drʌŋk æz ˈkuːtɚ braʊn/

Meaning & Usage

- Extremely drunk (simile)

Jimmy:

Did you see him at the barn dance?

Mary:

He was drunk as Cooter Brown.

variations: Cooter Brown Drunk, Drunk as a Skunk (mainstream equivalent), Lit Up Like a Christmas Tree

★ The name "Cooter Brown" appears in numerous Southern states’ folklore. In one version, Cooter Brown was a man living on the Mason-Dixon line who stayed drunk through the Civil War to avoid being drafted by either side. Regardless of the tale, the name became shorthand for someone spectacularly intoxicated. ★

Origin

Rooted in Southern folklore. The "Cooter Brown" character is always described as perpetually drunk or drinking to avoid trouble. The expression spread throughout the South and Appalachia as a go-to way to describe being extremely drunk.

Notes

Still common in Southern/Appalachian speech. Outside the region it may puzzle listeners unfamiliar with the "Cooter Brown" legend, but the "drunk as" part makes the meaning obvious.

Say It Like a Southerner

Say it natural: "drunk as Cooter Brown" or "Cooter Brown drunk" - both are common variants.

Kin Topics

Kin Words, Stories and More

Common Questions

Was Cooter Brown a real person?

Nobody knows for sure - it’s likely folklore, but his name became shorthand for drunkenness.

Does it always mean extremely drunk?

Yes - it’s one of the strongest ways to say someone is drunk.

Is it still used today?

Yes - especially among older Southerners or people wanting a colorful, regional way to say "drunk."

...