   Full as a TickIn Appalachian and Southern speech, "full as a tick" means completely stuffed with food. The image comes from a tick swollen after feeding, making it a colorful way to say you’ve eaten too much. Hillbilly Dude Says...  I never heard 'full as a tick' growin' up. But a couple counties over, you hear it everwhere. So it must be regional. Pronunciation[ful az uh TIK] Meaning & Usage- To be completely full from eating (simile)
Mae:
Want another biscuit?
Earl:
Naw, I’m full as a tick already.- Figurative use for being overfilled or overloaded
Earl:
That bed’s full as a tick with hay bales.other spellings: full's a tick ★ "Full as a tick" is vivid and a little funny, but not considered rude. It’s a common way to joke about eating too much at family meals or holiday spreads. ★ OriginTicks swell up when they feed, sometimes to several times their normal size. Country folks used the sight as a natural comparison for being stuffed with food. The saying has long roots in rural Southern and Appalachian talk. NotesStill heard across the South and Appalachia, especially among older generations and in family settings. Younger speakers may use it less often but still recognize it. Say It Like a SouthernerSaid plain: "full as a tick." Smooth and quick, no pauses. | About We are a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia, but wide as the world. Read more... |
Slang and folklore change from place to place - this is how I know it. Read the full disclaimer and terms of use →
© Hillbilly Slang | Original audio and content may not be reused without permission. Keeping the Mountains Talking 'Til The Cows Come Home