Sull Up
In Southern and Appalachian speech, "Sull Up" is a verb meaning to pout, sulk, or refuse to engage - a distinct regionalism with Scots-Irish roots.
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Hillbilly Dude Says...
I didn't hear 'sull up' growin' up, but it's one you can hear out in the country two counties over. So it must be regional. Hillbilly Dude Says...
I didn't hear 'sull up' growin' up, but it's one you can hear out in the country two counties over. So it must be regional. Pronunciation
[SULL up]
/sʌl ʌp/
/sʌl ʌp/
Meaning & Usage
- To pout, sulk, or withdraw stubbornly (verb)
Ella:
He didn’t get the last biscuit.
He didn’t get the last biscuit.
Nate:
Now he’s sulled up in the corner.
Now he’s sulled up in the corner.variations: Sulled Up, Sulling Up, Poutin’, Sulk
★ "Sull up" is a distinct Southern/Appalachian verb, not widely used elsewhere. It’s a favorite for describing a child or adult who clams up or sits out after not getting their way. ★
Origin and Etymology
From older Scots-Irish and regional English "sull," meaning to sulk or be stubborn. Early settlers carried it to Appalachia, where it became common in everyday speech.
Usage Notes
Strongly Southern/Appalachian. Outside the region "sull up" is rarely understood, making it a clear marker of regional speech. Often used in humorous or affectionate tones.
Say It Like a Southerner
Say it natural: "sull up" (present tense) or "sulled up" (past tense), with the "u" like "up" and "sull" rhyming with "dull."
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How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 21). Sull Up. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/sull-up
- MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "Sull Up." HillbillySlang.com, 21 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/sull-up.
- Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "Sull Up." HillbillySlang.com. September 21, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/sull-up.
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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...