Dice
 
 
Next post.
Previous post.

Plumb Wore Out

"Plumb wore out" is Appalachian and Southern talk for being completely exhausted. The "plumb" means "entirely" or "utterly," and "wore out" is the hillbilly way of saying worn out.

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

Pronunciation

[PLUM wor out]

Meaning & Usage

- Completely exhausted (saying)

After chores
Mae:
You look plumb wore out.

Earl:
Been splittin’ wood all afternoon.

variations: plum wore out, completely tired, exhausted, tuckered out, dog-tired, zonked out, wore slap out, beat to death
★ "Plumb" here doesn’t mean the fruit - it’s from the word meaning "completely." Pair it with "wore out" and you’ve got a hillbilly way of saying "dead tired." ★

Origin and Etymology

From Middle English *plum(b)*, meaning exact or complete. The phrase "plumb wore out" spread in the South and Appalachia as a vivid way of stressing exhaustion.

Usage Notes

Still common in Appalachian and Southern speech. Often swapped with "plum tuckered out" or "wore slap out." Both "plumb" and "plum" spellings show up, depending on who’s writing it down.

Say It Like a Southerner

Said flat: "plum wore out" - with "wore" often stretched: "plum worrrrr out."

Kin Topics

Related Pages

Common Questions

Is it "plum" or "plumb"?
"Plumb" is the older, correct form, but "plum" is often written because that’s how it sounds.
Do people still use this phrase?
Yes - it’s a living bit of mountain talk, often used for everyday tiredness.
Is it unique to Appalachia?
Strongest in Appalachian and Southern speech, though folks elsewhere may recognize it.

How to Cite This Page

  • APA (7th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, August 27). Plumb Wore Out. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/plumb-wore-out
  • MLA (9th edition)
    "The Hillbilly Dude." "Plumb Wore Out." HillbillySlang.com, 27 Aug. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/plumb-wore-out.
  • Chicago (17th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. "Plumb Wore Out." HillbillySlang.com. August 27, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/plumb-wore-out.
...
About
Created by The Hillbilly Dude, this site is a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia but reaching across the world. Every slang word, saying, accent and story is gathered from first-hand experience and trusted sources. The goal: preserve authentic voices and share them with writers, learners, and culture lovers everywhere - with a little humor thrown in here and there. 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 not for reproduction or AI training without permission. Keeping the Mountains Talking 'Til The Cows Come Home