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Plumb Tuckered Out

In Southern and Appalachian speech, "Plumb Tuckered Out" means completely tired or worn out - a vivid intensifier phrase built from the regional word "plumb" and the old verb "tucker" meaning to tire.

#SouthernSayings   #Appalachia   #PeopleandRelationships   #DialectandGrammar   #Southern   #FarmTalk   #MoneyWorkandChores   #Euphemisms

Hillbilly Dude Says...
In my own experience, I've only heard 'plumb tuckered out' used to describe 'cute' things - like a toddler or a puppy. 
Hillbilly Dude Says...
In my own experience, I've only heard 'plumb tuckered out' used to describe 'cute' things - like a toddler or a puppy. 

Pronunciation

[PLUM TUCK-erd OUT] /plʌm ˈtʌkɚd aʊt/

Meaning & Usage

- Completely exhausted or worn out (intensified adjective)

Mary:
You ready to go another round?
Earl:
No ma’am - I’m plumb tuckered out.
variations: Tuckered Out, Plumb Wore Out, Plumb Give Out, Completely Worn Out
★ "Tuckered out" is an old Appalachian and rural American term meaning "tired out." Adding "plumb" makes it even stronger - "totally exhausted." This pairing has been around for generations. ★

Origin and Etymology

"Tuckered" likely comes from an old English dialect word meaning "to beat" or "to tire," recorded in Appalachia in the 19th century. Southerners added "plumb" as an intensifier to emphasize complete exhaustion.

Usage Notes

Still very common in rural Southern/Appalachian speech. Outside the region it’s considered quaint or humorous but easily understood.

Say It Like a Southerner

Say it natural: "plumb tuckered out" - rhymes with "thumb tuckered out," with "plumb" pronounced like "plum" and "tuckered" softened to "tuck-erd."

Kin Topics

Related Pages

Common Questions

Does "plumb tuckered out" apply to things too?
Mostly to people, but it can also describe pets or even machines ("That motor’s plumb tuckered out").
Is "plumb" the same as "plum"?
No - "plumb" here means "completely," not the fruit.
Is it still used today?
Yes - it remains one of the best-known folksy ways to say "tired" in the South.

How to Cite This Page

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