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In Appalachian and Southern speech, "waller" means 1) to roll around or sprawl out, usually in mud, dirt, or water, 2) sulking or lazing around, or, 3) kids and pets climbing all over you in a smothering way (think: 'quit that wallerin' me!')

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Pronunciation

[WAH-lur]

Meaning & Usage

- To roll or sprawl in mud or dirt (or worse) (verb)

At the hog pen
Estel:
Why's my truck smell like it's done been pulled from the landfill?

Elmer:
I reckon 'at dog o'yourn's found sumpin' real nice to waller in.

- To sulk, laze, or stew in feelings (verb, figurative)

About a neighbor
Elmer:
He’s just wallerin’ 'cause he seein' 'at girl no more.

Estel:
Time to find a new hobby.

- To crowd, climb on, or smother someone (verb)

With the kids
Estel:
These little'uns been wallerin’ me all day, climbin’ and hangin’ on.

Elmer:
You need to go waller in whatever your dog did. That'll learn 'em.

other spellings: wallow, wallerin’, and wallerin’ around
★ Though related to "wallow," the hillbilly form "waller" is rougher and more playful. It’s the go-to word for hogs, kids, pets, and anybody makin’ a mess of themselves - or stewin’ in a mood. ★

Origin

From Old English *wealwian* ("to roll about"), which became "wallow." Appalachian and Southern speech shifted the form to "waller," a variant that stuck in rural talk.

Notes

Still widely heard in Appalachian and Southern families. Used for hogs in the mud, folks who are lazin’ or sulkin’, and kids or pets climbin’ all over somebody. Often said by itself: "He’s wallerin’," with no need to name what in.

Say It Like a Southerner

Play audio Say it loose: "wah-lur." The "er" often drops off: "wallerin’."

Kin Topics

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Common Questions

Is "waller" the same as "wallow"?
Yes - it’s the Appalachian/Southern form of the same word.
Do people still use it today?
Absolutely - especially in farm talk and family life.
Can it be positive?
Sometimes - hogs wallerin’ are happy hogs. With people, it’s usually a scoldin’ or complaint.
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