   Sweatin’ Like a Sinner in ChurchIn Appalachian and Southern speech, "sweatin’ like a sinner in church" is a humorous simile meaning sweating heavily from heat, exertion, or nervousness. It draws on the image of someone feeling guilty or out of place under watchful eyes. #SouthernSayings #Appalachia #PeopleandRelationships #Southern Hillbilly Dude Says...  I never heard 'sweatin’ like a sinner in church' growin' up, but I hear it a couple counties over. Pronunciation[SWET-in like uh SIN-er in CHURCH] Meaning & Usage- To sweat heavily or be visibly nervous (simile / idiom)
Mae:
How hot was it?
Earl:
Lord, I was sweatin’ like a sinner in church just standing there.★ This simile is playful and hyperbolic. It reflects Southern/Appalachian humor about church and social norms - not meant literally, but as a vivid way of saying "I was sweating like crazy." ★ OriginDocumented in Southern humor writing, stand-up routines, and dialect collections since at least the mid-20th century. Variants include "sweatin’ like a wh*** in church" in rougher speech, but the "sinner" form is the widely acceptable, family-friendly version. NotesStill widely used in the South and Appalachia for comic effect. Outside the region it’s often recognized as a Southernism. Works for both physical heat and social/mental pressure. Say It Like a SouthernerSay it with a grin: "sweatin’ like a sinner in church." The humor comes from exaggeration, so deliver it with a playful tone. | ...
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