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Eat Till You Bust

In Southern and Appalachian speech, eat till you bust (or "ate till I busted") means to eat so much you feel like you’re going to explode - a humorous exaggeration tied to big family meals and country cooking.

#SouthernSayings   #Appalachia   #FoodandDrink   #PeopleandRelationships   #DialectandGrammar   #Southern

synonyms: overeat, pig out, stuff yourself, gorge
Hillbilly Dude Says...
After Thanksgivin', you'll hear people say that they 'eat till I busted' or 'eat till I popped.' Eat can be past tense. 
Hillbilly Dude Says...
After Thanksgivin', you'll hear people say that they 'eat till I busted' or 'eat till I popped.' Eat can be past tense. 

Pronunciation

[EET til yew BUST] /iːt tɪl juː bʌst/

Meaning & Usage

- To eat so much you feel you’ll burst (saying/phrase)

Mary:
Did you try the banana pudding?
Earl:
I did. Ate till I busted. Worth every bite.
variations: eat till you bust, ate till I bust, ate till I busted, eat till you pop
★ "Eat till you bust" isn’t just about overeating - it’s a wink at the Southern tradition of abundant home cooking and generous portions. ★

Origin and Etymology

Documented in Southern and Appalachian oral histories, church cookbooks, and humor columns since the early 20th century. The phrase reflects a long-standing culture of big meals, potlucks, and joking exaggeration around food.

Usage Notes

  • Eat till you bust - primary form; "ate till I busted" or "ate till I popped" are common variants.
  • Often said with pride or humor after a big meal at family gatherings, church socials, or holiday dinners.
  • Comparable to "make a hog of yourself" but more self-deprecating and playful.
  • Recognized as a distinctly Southern/Appalachian expression; outsiders may say "I’m stuffed" or "I pigged out" instead.
  • Can also be used figuratively: "He worked till he bust" (overdid it).

Kin Topics

Related Pages

Common Questions

Does it literally mean you’ll bust?
No - it’s a humorous exaggeration for being extremely full. At least I hope not!
Where is it most common?
In the Southern U.S. and Appalachian regions, tied to family meals and gatherings.
Is it still used today?
Yes - still heard at family tables, potlucks, and in joking remarks about overeating.

How to Cite This Page

  • APA (7th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 26). Eat Till You Bust. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/eat-till-you-bust
  • MLA (9th edition)
    "The Hillbilly Dude." "Eat Till You Bust." HillbillySlang.com, 26 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/eat-till-you-bust.
  • Chicago (17th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. "Eat Till You Bust." HillbillySlang.com. September 26, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/eat-till-you-bust.
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