Clumb
In Southern and Appalachian speech, "clumb" is the older past tense of "climb." Standard English uses "climbed" today, but "clumb" survived regionally in everyday talk.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
If you're out in the country, you'll hear 'clumb' - but mostly from old timers these days. Hillbilly Dude Says...
If you're out in the country, you'll hear 'clumb' - but mostly from old timers these days. Pronunciation
[KLUM]
/klʌm/
/klʌm/
Meaning & Usage
- Past tense of "climb" (verb)
Mae:
How’d he get that high?
How’d he get that high?
Earl:
He just clumb right up there.
He just clumb right up there.variations: clum
★ "Clumb" reflects older English verb patterns. Southern/Appalachian speech kept it long after mainstream American English switched to "climbed." Other verbs show similar patterns (swum/swim, drug/dragged). ★
Origin and Etymology
From Old English "climban" with the past tense "clomb" or "clumb." Especially common in the South, South Midland, and Ozarks, this term preserves an older form of English verb conjugation.
Usage Notes
Still heard today among older speakers and in rural talk. Outside the region it reads as quaint or archaic but is easily understood. Often used in storytelling or humor to evoke an old-time feel.
Say It Like a Southerner
Say it natural: "clumb" rhymes with "thumb." Commonly appears as "clumb up" or "had clumb."
Kin Topics
Related Pages
How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 20). Clumb. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/clumb
- MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "Clumb." HillbillySlang.com, 20 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/clumb.
- Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "Clumb." HillbillySlang.com. September 20, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/clumb.
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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...