Spoilt Rotten
In Appalachian and Southern speech, "spoilt rotten" means a person (often a child) has been pampered or indulged so much that they’ve become selfish, lazy, or ungrateful.
#SouthernSayings #Appalachia #PeopleandRelationships #DialectandGrammar #Southern #FarmTalk
Pronunciation
[SPOILT ROT-un]
Meaning & Usage
- Overindulged person (saying)
Mae:
That boy’s spoilt rotten, never worked a day in his life.
That boy’s spoilt rotten, never worked a day in his life.
Earl:
Ain’t gonna change ‘less somebody makes him.
Ain’t gonna change ‘less somebody makes him.variations: spoiled rotten, overindulged, pampered, selfish
★ "Spoilt rotten" is always about people, not food. It’s harsher than "spoiled" - like someone’s gone bad from too much pampering. ★
Origin and Etymology
From older British English, where "spoilt" was the past tense of "spoil." The phrase "spoilt rotten" crossed into Southern and Appalachian speech, sticking as a strong judgment.
Usage Notes
Common in Appalachian and Southern families, especially used by parents and grandparents. Almost always applied to kids, though sometimes to adults who act childish.
Say It Like a Southerner
"Spoilt" comes out with the "t" clear or sometimes softened: "spoil’t." "Rotten" often shortens to "rot-un."
Kin Topics
Related Pages
How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 8). Spoilt Rotten. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/spoilt-rotten
- MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "Spoilt Rotten." HillbillySlang.com, 8 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/spoilt-rotten.
- Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "Spoilt Rotten." HillbillySlang.com. September 8, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/spoilt-rotten.
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