Soppin’ Wet

In Southern and Appalachian speech, "sopping wet" means completely soaked or drenched through. It’s a vivid, down-home way to describe being wet all over.

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synonyms: soaking wet, drenched, dripping wet

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I use the phrase 'soppin’ wet' on a regular basis - and it's pretty common out in the country.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I use the phrase 'soppin’ wet' on a regular basis - and it's pretty common out in the country.

Pronunciation

[SOP-pin WET]
/ˈsɑː.pɪn wɛt/

Meaning & Usage

- Completely soaked (adjectival phrase)

Hazel:

You’d best change clothes - you’re soppin’ wet.

Roy:

Didn’t have time to grab a coat before that storm hit.

variations: soppin’ wet, soppin wet, sopping-wet

Origin and Etymology

From the verb sop ("to soak up liquid"), used since the 1300s. In Southern and Appalachian English, the intensified phrase "sopping wet" or "soppin’ wet" became a fixed expression meaning "so wet you could drip." The dropped g reflects common regional pronunciation.

Usage Notes

Though "sopping wet" is understood throughout English, it’s especially common in Southern and Appalachian speech, often pronounced "soppin’."

Used for people, clothes, or anything soaked through.
Can appear in exaggeration or humor: "He was soppin’ wet just walkin’ to the mailbox."
Related forms include "sop it up" (to soak liquid with bread) and "soppy" (soaked or sentimental).

Kin Topics

Common Questions

What does "sopping wet" mean?

It means completely soaked or drenched through.

Is "sopping wet" Southern?

Yes - it’s common everywhere, but most often heard in the South and Appalachia, usually pronounced "soppin’ wet."

Where does "sopping" come from?

From "sop," meaning to soak up liquid - the same root as "sop it up" or "biscuit sop."

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, October 14). Sopping Wet. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/sopping-wet
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Sopping Wet." HillbillySlang.com, 14 Oct. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/sopping-wet.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Sopping Wet." HillbillySlang.com. October 14, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/sopping-wet.