Wore Slap Out
Wore slap out means completely exhausted or used up. A classic Southern and Appalachian phrase where "slap" adds extra punch - turning "tired" into "bone-deep done."
#SouthernSayings #Appalachia #DialectandGrammar #Southern #BodyandHealth
Hillbilly Dude Says...
I didn't hear 'wore slap out' much growin' up - so I think it's more regional. Hillbilly Dude Says...
I didn't hear 'wore slap out' much growin' up - so I think it's more regional. Pronunciation
[WOHR SLAP OUT]
/wɔr slæp aʊt/
/wɔr slæp aʊt/
Meaning & Usage
- Utterly Exhausted (adjective phrase)
Mamaw:
You look wore slap out - sit a spell.
You look wore slap out - sit a spell.
Papaw:
Ain’t got the strength to lift a biscuit.
Ain’t got the strength to lift a biscuit.- Completely Used Up or Depleted (figurative)
Estel:
That ol’ truck’s wore slap out - won’t make it to town.
That ol’ truck’s wore slap out - won’t make it to town.
Elmer:
Ain’t nothin’ left but rust and prayers.
Ain’t nothin’ left but rust and prayers.★ Adding "slap" gives it that extra Southern kick - same meaning as "plumb wore out," but with more grit and rhythm. ★
Origin and Etymology
From Southern and Appalachian English, where "slap" developed as an intensifier meaning "completely" or "straight." "Wore slap out" likely dates to the 1800s and remains a staple of regional expression.
Usage Notes
Used across the South for both people and things - someone can be "wore slap out," or an old tool can be "wore slap out from use." Often said with good humor or sympathy.
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How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, October 10). Wore Slap Out. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/wore-slap-out
- MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "Wore Slap Out." HillbillySlang.com, 10 Oct. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/wore-slap-out.
- Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "Wore Slap Out." HillbillySlang.com. October 10, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/wore-slap-out.
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Created by a true, actual, proper, real-life hillbilly, HillbillySlang 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...