Spoilt RottenIn Appalachian and Southern speech, "spoilt rotten" means a person (often a child) has been pampered or indulged so much that they’ve become selfish, lazy, or ungrateful. #SouthernSayings #Appalachia #PeopleandRelationships #DialectandGrammar #Southern #FarmTalk Pronunciation[SPOILT ROT-un] Meaning & Usage- Overindulged person (saying)
Mae:
Earl:
variations: spoiled rotten, overindulged, pampered, selfish ★ "Spoilt rotten" is always about people, not food. It’s harsher than "spoiled" - like someone’s gone bad from too much pampering. ★ Origin and EtymologyFrom older British English, where "spoilt" was the past tense of "spoil." The phrase "spoilt rotten" crossed into Southern and Appalachian speech, sticking as a strong judgment. Usage NotesCommon in Appalachian and Southern families, especially used by parents and grandparents. Almost always applied to kids, though sometimes to adults who act childish. Say It Like a Southerner"Spoilt" comes out with the "t" clear or sometimes softened: "spoil’t." "Rotten" often shortens to "rot-un." | ...
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