   Bustin’ at the SeamsIn Appalachian and Southern speech, "bustin’ at the seams" (sometimes written "busting at the seams") means something is so full, crowded, or overflowing that it can hardly hold any more. It can describe food, clothes, crowds, or even feelings. #SouthernSayings #Appalachia #PeopleandRelationships #Southern #BodyandHealth Hillbilly Dude Says...  We use 'bustin’ at the seams' mainly when talkin' about somebody bein' proud of an accomplishment. Hillbilly Dude Says... We use 'bustin’ at the seams' mainly when talkin' about somebody bein' proud of an accomplishment. Pronunciation[BUHS-tin at thuh SEEMS] Meaning & Usage- Overfilled or overcrowded (figurative)
Mae:
Want more cornbread?
Earl:
Nope, I’m already bustin’ at the seams.- Overflowing with pride, emotion, or energy (figurative)
Mae:
How’d she react?
Earl:
She was bustin’ at the seams with joy.variations: bursting at the seams ★ "Bustin’ at the seams" often paints a funny picture - pants too tight, barns stuffed with hay, or bellies after Sunday dinner. But it also works for emotions like pride or excitement. ★ Origin and EtymologyFrom sewing and clothing: when fabric is too tight, the seams may literally burst. The figurative sense has been in American English since the 1800s and grew popular in Southern/Appalachian speech for food, crowds, and feelings. Usage NotesStill widely used in the South and Appalachia, especially in kitchens and family talk. Outsiders understand it too, but the dropped "g" gives it a country sound. Related to sayings like fit to burst. Say It Like a SouthernerSaid plain: "bust-in at thuh seems." The "g" is dropped: "bustin’." | ...
About Created by The Hillbilly Dude, this site 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... |