   Whup the Tar Out ofIn Southern and Appalachian speech, "Whup the Tar Out of" means to beat or punish someone severely - a colorful regional variant of "whip the tar out of" or "whoop the tar out of." Hillbilly Dude Says...  If you heard 'I'll whup the tar out of you' growin' up, you best stop what you're doin. It's more of a silly threat to say these days. Hillbilly Dude Says... If you heard 'I'll whup the tar out of you' growin' up, you best stop what you're doin. It's more of a silly threat to say these days. Pronunciation[WHUP thuh TAR out-uh] /wʌp ðə tɑr ˈaʊtə/ Meaning & Usage- To beat or punish severely (expression)
Pearl:
He took my seat again.
Jeb:
Do it one more time and I’ll whup the tar out of you.variations: Whoop the Tar Out of, Whip the Tar Out of, Whup the Snot Out of, Beat the Tar Out of ★ In Southern/Appalachian English "whup" is the authentic pronunciation of "whip" or "whoop" when it means to beat someone. "Tar" is a traditional stand-in for "stuffing," "heck," or "sense" - making this a vivid way of saying "punish hard." ★ Origin and EtymologyFrom "whip" meaning to strike or beat. "Whup" is the Southern pronunciation, documented since the 19th century. "Tar" as a figurative stand-in dates back to at least the mid-1800s in rural speech. Together they form one of the South’s most iconic colorful threats. Usage NotesStill widely heard in Southern/Appalachian speech, often said jokingly as a parental or playful threat. Outside the region people may know "beat the tar out of," but "whup the tar out of" sounds distinctly Southern. Say It Like a SouthernerSay it natural: "whup the tar outta" - pronounced with "whup" (not "whoop") and "outta" (not "out of"). Sometimes also said "whup the snot out of." | ...
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... |