A "slop jar" is an Appalachian and Southern nickname for a chamber pot - a portable toilet kept in the bedroom before indoor plumbing. The name came from the unpleasant task of emptying it out.
Papaw called his chamber pot a 'slop jar,' but I've not heard that in years.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
Papaw called his chamber pot a 'slop jar,' but I've not heard that in years.
Pronunciation
[SLOP jar]
Meaning & Usage
- Chamber pot (country nickname) (noun)
Morning chores
Papaw:
Boy, take that slop jar out ‘fore it stinks up the house.
Son:
Yes sir.
- Reminder of life before plumbing (noun)
Family stories
Mamaw:
We didn’t get a bathoom ‘til the sixties. Had a slop jar under the bed.
variations: chamber pot, thunder mug, night pot, bedpan, potty
★ "Slop jar" wasn’t meant polite - it was plain country talk. Families usually kept one in each bedroom, and emptying them was part of the morning routine. ★
Origin and Etymology
The nickname likely comes from the act of "slopping out" (emptying) the pot each morning. It reflects Appalachian plain-speech and humor about unpleasant chores.
Usage Notes
Especially common in Appalachia and the rural South. The phrase carried on in country families even after bathrooms came in, often remembered with a mix of disgust and nostalgia.
Say It Like a Southerner
Said plain and sharp: "slop-jar." Sometimes runs together like "slopjar."
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...
Papaw called his chamber pot a 'slop jar,' but I've not heard that in years.