In Southern and Appalachian English, "stob" is both a noun and a verb. As a noun it means a short stake or stub; as a verb it means to drive a post or poke something - and commonly "stob your toe" means "stub your toe."
I grew up hearin' people getting a 'toe stobbed.' The one related to farmin' wasn't one I heard much growin' up, so I'm assuming it's more regional and old timers.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
I grew up hearin' people getting a 'toe stobbed.' The one related to farmin' wasn't one I heard much growin' up, so I'm assuming it's more regional and old timers.
Pronunciation
[STAUB] /stɒb/
Meaning & Usage
- Noun: A short stake or stub
Referring to a stake or short post
Elmer:
He drove a stob in the ground for the fence line.
Estel:
Make sure it’s good and deep.
- Verb: To drive a stake or poke something
Describing an action
Elmer:
Stob that post in the ground right there.
Estel:
Got it. It won’t move.
- Verb (regional): To stub or strike, especially a toe
Describing the accident
Elmer:
I stobbed my toe on that rock.
Estel:
Ouch. That’s gonna leave a mark.
variations: stobbed, stobbing, stob a toe, stobbing a toe
★ Think of "stob" as both the object (a stake or stub) and the action (to poke or stub). In Southern/Appalachian English it extends naturally to "stobbing a toe." ★
Origin and Etymology
From Scots/Old English "stob" meaning a stake or stub. Preserved in Southern and Appalachian speech as both a noun ("stake") and verb ("to drive a post" or "to stub/poke"). This usage appears in regional dictionaries and oral histories throughout the 20th century.
Usage Notes
Common across Appalachia and the rural South; largely unknown outside those areas except among dialect enthusiasts.
"Stob" (noun) and "stob" (verb) share the same root; "stobbing a toe" is the regional way of saying "stubbing a toe."
Include "stobbed," "stobbing," and "toe" in your internal search tags for SEO and cross-linking.
In mainstream English yes, but "stob" is the Southern/Appalachian variant.
Where did it come from?
Scots-Irish settlers brought "stob" from British English meaning "stake" or "stub."
Is it still used today?
Yes - especially among older speakers and in rural communities.
What does "stobbing a toe" mean?
It’s the regional way of saying "stubbing a toe" - hitting your toe against something.
How to Cite This Page
APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 27). Stob. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/stob
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Stob." HillbillySlang.com, 27 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/stob.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Stob." HillbillySlang.com. September 27, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/stob.
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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...
I grew up hearin' people getting a 'toe stobbed.' The one related to farmin' wasn't one I heard much growin' up, so I'm assuming it's more regional and old timers. 
