Spittin’ Mad

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "spittin’ mad" (sometimes written "spitting mad") means extremely angry. Sometimes folks also say "so mad I could spit," a colorful way of showing just how riled up they are.

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Hillbilly Dude Says...

I still here 'spittin’ mad' or 'so mad I could spit!'

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I still here 'spittin’ mad' or 'so mad I could spit!'

Pronunciation

[SPIT-in MAD]

Meaning & Usage

- Extremely angry, furious (verb phrase, figurative)

Mae:

Why’s he slammin’ the gate?

Earl:

He’s spittin’ mad about that tractor.

variations: so mad I could spit

★ "Spittin’ mad" adds a country sharpness - spitting shows both disgust and fire. Saying "so mad I could spit" makes the anger even more dramatic. ★

Origin and Etymology

The link between spitting and anger goes back centuries in English. By the 1800s, American speech had "spittin’ mad" as a set phrase, especially in the South and Appalachia, where colorful exaggerations are a hallmark.

Usage Notes

Still common in Southern and Appalachian talk, especially in family scolding and storytelling. While understood nationwide, it carries a distinctly folksy and rural flavor. Related to sayings like mad as a hornet and fit to be tied.

Say It Like a Southerner

Said plain: "spit-in mad." The "g" is dropped: "spittin’."

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Does "spittin’ mad" mean the same as "furious"?

Yes - it’s just the folksy, country way of saying it.

Is "so mad I could spit" the same?

Yes - it’s another colorful version that emphasizes being riled up.

Do people still use it today?

Yes - it’s still alive in Southern/Appalachian speech, though it can sound old-fashioned elsewhere.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, October 5). Spitting Mad. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/spitting-mad
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Spitting Mad." HillbillySlang.com, 5 Oct. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/spitting-mad.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Spitting Mad." HillbillySlang.com. October 5, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/spitting-mad.

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