Dice
 
 
Next post.
Previous post.

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

Pronunciation

[WOHR SLAP OUT]
/wɔr slæp aʊt/

Meaning & Usage

- Utterly Exhausted (adjective phrase)

Used for total fatigue
Mamaw:
You look wore slap out - sit a spell.

Papaw:
Ain’t got the strength to lift a biscuit.

- Completely Used Up or Depleted (figurative)

Used for objects or energy
Estel:
That ol’ truck’s wore slap out - won’t make it to town.

Elmer:
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.

Kin Topics

Related Pages

Common Questions

What does "wore slap out" mean?
It means completely exhausted or worn down.
Is "slap" just for hitting?
Not here - it’s a Southern intensifier meaning "completely" or "entirely."
Do people still say it?
Yes - it’s one of the most common Southern ways to say you’re bone-tired.

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.
...
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