Dregs

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "dregs" means the last little bit left at the bottom - whether that’s coffee, soda, chip crumbs, or even the worst people in a crowd.

#SouthernWords #Appalachia #FoodandDrink #Southern

Hillbilly Dude Says...

You know that chunky dust at the bottom corner of the chip bag? That's the 'dregs', and it's my favorite part.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

You know that chunky dust at the bottom corner of the chip bag? That's the 'dregs', and it's my favorite part.

Pronunciation

[DREGZ]

Meaning & Usage

- Leftover bits at the bottom (noun)

Mae:

All that’s left is the dregs of the coffee pot.

Earl:

Pour it out, we’ll make a fresh batch.

- The worst part, people, or quality (noun)

Mae:

They hired the dregs for that work crew.

Earl:

Ain’t no wonder the job’s half-done.

variations: leftovers, remnants, sediment, scraps, bottom-of-the-bag, worst of the lot

★ "Dregs" can mean what’s left at the bottom - or the bottom rung of society. Locals use it both ways, serious or joking. ★

Origin and Etymology

From Middle English, borrowed from Old Norse *dregg* meaning sediment or lees in liquid. Carried into Appalachian and Southern talk to mean any last scraps or worst remains.

Usage Notes

Still common in casual Southern and Appalachian speech. Often used for food/drink leftovers, but also for people or situations at their worst.

Say It Like a Southerner

Said plain: "dregs." Short, sharp, one syllable.

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Does "dregs" only mean liquid sediment?

No - in country talk, it’s the last little scraps of anything.

Is "dregs" unique to Appalachia?

No - it’s older English, but Appalachia and the South kept it alive in everyday talk.

Can "dregs" describe people?

Yes - it often means the worst sort, like "the dregs of society."

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 13). Dregs. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/dregs
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Dregs." HillbillySlang.com, 13 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/dregs.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Dregs." HillbillySlang.com. September 13, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/dregs.

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