Boogered Up
In Southern and Appalachian speech, "boogered up" means messed up, broken, or in bad shape. It’s used for things, situations, or even people who’ve been roughed up.
synonyms: messed up, busted, fouled up, torn up
Hillbilly Dude Says...
I don't use 'boogered up' a whole awful lot myself. But it's a common one out in the country. Hillbilly Dude Says...
I don't use 'boogered up' a whole awful lot myself. But it's a common one out in the country. Pronunciation
[BOO-gurd up] /ˈbuːɡɚd ʌp/
Meaning & Usage
- Messed up or broken (verb phrase)
Ray:
What’s wrong with the Chevy?
What’s wrong with the Chevy?
Clara:
Transmission’s all boogered up again.
Transmission’s all boogered up again.- In rough condition (adjective)
Lou:
You see Tommy after that ballgame?
You see Tommy after that ballgame?
May:
Yeah, his face was boogered up real bad.
Yeah, his face was boogered up real bad.variations: boogerd up, buggered up (variant spelling, less common in the South)
★ If something’s "boogered up," it’s not just a little off-it’s usually a real mess, whether mechanical, physical, or personal. ★
Origin and Etymology
Likely developed as a rustic variation of "buggered up" or "bogered" in older dialects, but "boogered up" became its own firmly Southern/Appalachian phrase by the mid-20th century. It reflects the plain-spoken, sometimes humorous way folks describe accidents or breakdowns.
Usage Notes
- Most often applied to machines, engines, or tools that won’t work right.
- Can describe physical injury ("He got all boogered up in the wreck").
- Sometimes used for plans or situations gone wrong ("That deal’s boogered up now").
- Common in Southern/Appalachian speech, less used outside the region.