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Plumb Proud

In Southern and Appalachian speech, "Plumb Proud" means completely proud or very pleased - a colorful intensifier phrase built from the regional word "plumb."

#SouthernSayings   #Appalachia   #PeopleandRelationships   #DialectandGrammar   #Southern

Hillbilly Dude Says...
There's a handful of more common uses for 'plumb', and 'plumb proud' is one that's common out in the country. 
Hillbilly Dude Says...
There's a handful of more common uses for 'plumb', and 'plumb proud' is one that's common out in the country. 

Pronunciation

[PLUM PROWD] /plʌm praʊd/

Meaning & Usage

- Completely proud or pleased (intensified adjective)

June:
I heard your boy got the scholarship!
Pearl:
We’re plumb proud of him.
variations: Mighty Proud, Right Proud, Real Proud, Plumb Tickled
★ "Plumb" intensifies "proud" the way it intensifies "broke," "crazy," or "tuckered out." Rural Southerners and Appalachians have used "plumb proud" for generations to express heartfelt pride or delight. ★

Origin and Etymology

Built from the regional intensifier "plumb" + "proud." This phrase reflects older English usage of "plumb" for "completely," kept alive in Southern/Appalachian speech.

Usage Notes

Still widely heard in rural Southern/Appalachian speech. Outside the region it sounds quaint or humorous but conveys the same meaning. Sometimes also heard as "mighty proud" or "right proud."

Say It Like a Southerner

Say it natural: "plumb proud" - rhymes with "thumb proud," with "plumb" pronounced like "plum."

Kin Topics

Related Pages

Common Questions

Does "plumb proud" only apply to people?
Mostly, but it can describe pride in an event, object, or moment too ("I’m plumb proud of this garden").
Is "plumb" the same as "plum"?
No - "plumb" here means "completely," not the fruit.
Is it still used today?
Yes - it’s still a common, folksy way to express pride.

How to Cite This Page

  • APA (7th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 22). Plumb Proud. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/plumb-proud
  • MLA (9th edition)
    "The Hillbilly Dude." "Plumb Proud." HillbillySlang.com, 22 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/plumb-proud.
  • Chicago (17th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. "Plumb Proud." HillbillySlang.com. September 22, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/plumb-proud.
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