   Put Water to ItIn Appalachian and Southern talk, "put water to it" means to add water to something - food, drink, plants, or anything that needs thinning, stretching, or refreshing. Hillbilly Dude Says...  If you've got a tree looking puny, you might 'put water to it.' Hillbilly Dude Says... If you've got a tree looking puny, you might 'put water to it.' Pronunciation[put WAH-ter to it] Meaning & Usage- Add water to thin or loosen (verb phrase)
Mama:
This soup’s a mite salty.
Daddy:
Just put water to it and it’ll be fine.- Give water to refresh or keep alive (verb phrase)
Dan:
That tree’s lookin’ thirsty. Better put water to it.- Make do by stretching something (verb phrase)
Grandma:
Not enough tea for everyone?
Aunt Lou:
I’ll put water to it so we all get a glass.variations: add water, water it down, thin it out, stretch it, hydrate ★ This saying shows up in kitchens, gardens, and farms - anywhere water can stretch, refresh, or keep something going. ★ Origin and EtymologyPlain English in form, but widely heard in Appalachian speech. Its flexibility - from soup pots to orchards - helped it become a set phrase. Usage NotesStill common among older Appalachian and Southern speakers. Used both literally (watering food or plants) and figuratively (stretching something to make do). Say It Like a SouthernerSaid plain and quick: "put wah-ter t’ it." | ...
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