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Gommed Up

In Southern and Appalachian speech, "gommed up" means messed up, tangled, or made worse through clumsy handling.

#SouthernSayings   #Appalachia   #DialectandGrammar   #Southern

synonyms: messed up, tangled, ruined, botched

Pronunciation

[GAHM’d up] /ɡɑmd ʌp/

Meaning & Usage

- Messed up, tangled, or ruined (verb phrase)

After a failed repair
Hazel:
Did you fix the sewing machine?

Earl:
No, I just gommed it up worse.

variations: gaumed up (less common spelling)
★ While gom is the noun for a mess, gommed up is the everyday phrase folks use when something’s been botched or tangled. ★

Origin and Etymology

Rooted in Appalachian dialect by the 19th century, from Scots-Irish "gaum." Over time, the phrase "gommed up" became the most common way to use the word in everyday speech.

Usage Notes

  • Especially common in the Southern mountains, often used about machines, projects, or chores gone wrong.
  • Sometimes used humorously: "He gommed that up real good."
  • Less common in younger generations, but still recognizable.

Kin Topics

Related Pages

Common Questions

What does "gommed up" mean?
It means messed up, tangled, or ruined - often by clumsy effort.
Is "gommed up" Southern?
Yes. It’s a traditional Appalachian/Southern phrase, rooted in the older dialect word "gom."
Can it apply to people as well as things?
Usually it’s for objects or situations, but sometimes folks use it about someone who’s caused a mess.
Is "gaumed up" the same thing?
Yes - that spelling reflects the Scots-Irish origin, but "gommed up" is the common Southern/Appalachian form.

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