Pert Near But Not Plumb

In Southern and Appalachian speech, pert near but not plumb means almost, but not quite; close to finishing but not complete. The phrase blends two dialect-rooted intensifiers to convey near-completion or near-fulfillment.

#SouthernSayings #Appalachia #Measurements #Southern

synonyms: almost, near enough, close but not done, not quite there, nearly

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I've only seen 'pert near but not plumb' on paper that I remember - but I also can't be sure I ain't heard it exactly like this.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I've only seen 'pert near but not plumb' on paper that I remember - but I also can't be sure I ain't heard it exactly like this.

Pronunciation

[PERT neer but not PLUHM]
/pɝt nɪr bət nɑt plʌm/

Meaning & Usage

- Nearly complete but not finished (phrase)

Dovie:

I’m pert near but not plumb ready for tomorrow’s market.

Earl:

Well, reckon we got time if you finish first thing in the mornin’.

variations: purt near but not plumb, pert near nigh but not plumb, pert near but not plum

★ You’ll mostly hear this from older or rural folks in Appalachia or the South - using both "pert near" and "plumb" together adds emphasis that plain "almost" don’t carry. ★

Origin and Etymology

The phrase combines two elements long-established in Southern and Appalachian dialects: "pert near" (meaning "almost, nearly") and "plumb" (meaning "completely, wholly"). While each part is documented separately in nineteenth- and twentieth-century dialect sources, no verified archival citation for the exact combined phrase has surfaced. The construction reflects a natural Southern style of piling intensifiers for nuance and emphasis.

Usage Notes

Though the exact phrasing "pert near but not plumb" lacks a verifiable archival citation, the vocabulary behind it is well rooted in dialect speech. It’s chiefly heard in rural Southern and Appalachian communities, sometimes preserved in family speech or regional storytelling. Outside those areas, the phrase is rare and may sound folksy or unfamiliar.

Suitable for describing a task, object, or situation that is nearly finished but not fully done.
Often used in past tense - "was pert near but not plumb" - describing things that almost happened or were almost completed.
Feels most natural in slower, rural Southern speech with a laid-back rhythm.
May vary: "purt near but not plumb," "pert near nigh but not plumb," or even "purt near but not plum."

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Is "pert near but not plumb" a real phrase?

Yes - it reflects a real pattern in Southern and Appalachian speech, though exact citation is not found.

What does "plumb" mean here?

"Completely" or "wholly." So "not plumb" = "not completely."

Is it used outside the South?

Almost never in everyday speech - people outside may need context to understand it.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, December 2). Pert Near But Not Plumb. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/pert-near-but-not-plumb
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Pert Near But Not Plumb." HillbillySlang.com, 2 Dec. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/pert-near-but-not-plumb.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Pert Near But Not Plumb." HillbillySlang.com. December 2, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/pert-near-but-not-plumb.