Poor as Dirt

In Southern and Appalachian speech, "poor as dirt" means extremely poor. It’s a plain, down-home saying that compares being broke to having nothing more than the dirt under your feet.

#SouthernSayings #Appalachia #PeopleandRelationships #Southern #FarmTalk #MoneyWorkandChores #Euphemisms

Hillbilly Dude Says...

Usually said as, 'we's poor as dirt growin’ up' - but I think this one may be one that people say all over here and there.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

Usually said as, 'we's poor as dirt growin’ up' - but I think this one may be one that people say all over here and there.

Pronunciation

[POHR az DERT]

Meaning & Usage

- Extremely poor (adjective phrase, figurative)

Mae:

How bad off were y’all?

Earl:

Bad - poor as dirt.

★ "Poor as dirt" is one of the simplest ways Southerners describe hard times. Dirt’s everywhere, but it ain’t worth a penny. ★

Origin and Etymology

The phrase has roots in plain folk talk: dirt has no value, so being "poor as dirt" meant utterly broke. It became especially common in Southern and Appalachian speech during times of hardship like the Depression.

Usage Notes

Still widely used in the South and Appalachia, especially among older speakers. Known elsewhere, but in the South it feels most at home, carrying the weight of lived experience.

Say It Like a Southerner

Said plain: "poor as dirt." Quick and flat, often stretched: "poooor as dirt."

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Does "poor as dirt" mean literal poverty?

No - it’s figurative, though it’s often used by people who lived through real hard times.

Is it only Southern?

Not only, but it’s especially natural in Southern and Appalachian talk.

Do people still say it today?

Yes - though younger folks might lean on other phrases, it’s still common in rural speech.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 22). Poor as Dirt. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/poor-as-dirt
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Poor as Dirt." HillbillySlang.com, 22 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/poor-as-dirt.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Poor as Dirt." HillbillySlang.com. September 22, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/poor-as-dirt.

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