Stout
In Southern and Appalachian speech, stout means strong or overpowering in smell, taste, or intensity - not just sturdy or heavy. A "stout" odor or flavor is one that’s too strong to handle.
'Stout' can still describe the strength or stature of a person. But out in the country, 'stout' is often for smells or flavors that are a little overboard. 'Stout' can still describe the strength or stature of a person. But out in the country, 'stout' is often for smells or flavors that are a little overboard. Pronunciation
/staʊt/
Meaning & Usage
- Strong or overpowering (adjective)
You want a bite of this deer jerky?No thank you - them things are too stout for me.- Sturdy or heavy-built (general English sense)
He’s a stout old man - still splits wood every morning.Origin and Etymology
The word stout comes from Middle English and Old French, originally meaning "strong" or "brave." In the American South and Appalachia, it took on a sensory meaning, applied to smells, flavors, or fumes that were too powerful or biting. The shift likely came from rural life, where strong tobacco, cleaning agents, and home cooking made "stout" the perfect shorthand for anything overwhelming to the senses.
Usage Notes
This Southern sense of stout is rarely heard outside the region. Most English speakers elsewhere use it only for body size or strength. In the South, though, it’s a go-to word for describing anything that hits too hard - a sharp smell, a bitter bite, or a heavy flavor.