In Southern and Appalachian speech, sleep means the little crusty bits that gather in the corners of your eyes overnight. A plain, gentle word most families still use every morning.
We always called it 'sleep' growin' up, and we still do in our family. I'd say this one is gettin' more rare.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
We always called it 'sleep' growin' up, and we still do in our family. I'd say this one is gettin' more rare.
Pronunciation
[SLEEP]
/sliːp/
Meaning & Usage
- Eye Crust Formed During Sleep (noun)
Used in family talk
Mamaw:
Wipe that sleep out before breakfast.
Papaw:
Ain’t fit to eat with your eyes glued shut.
★ Used mostly for kids, but everybody knows what it means. It’s friendly, not clinical - one of those words that keeps its warmth generation after generation. ★
Origin and Etymology
From Old English slǣp (sleep). The eye-crust sense developed centuries ago and survived strongly in Southern and Appalachian English while fading elsewhere.
Usage Notes
Still said daily in the South and Appalachia. Rarely written, but everyone knows it. Sometimes called "sleep dust" or "sleep seed" when talking to children.
The small bits that form in the corners of your eyes while you sleep.
Is this usage Southern?
It’s old English, but the South kept it alive - most regions dropped it.
What are other names for it?
"Sleep dust," "eye crust," or "eye boogers," but plain "sleep" is the Southern favorite.
How to Cite This Page
APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, October 10). Sleep. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/sleep
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Sleep." HillbillySlang.com, 10 Oct. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/sleep.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Sleep." HillbillySlang.com. October 10, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/sleep.
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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...
We always called it 'sleep' growin' up, and we still do in our family. I'd say this one is gettin' more rare. 
