In a recent video I said our trip to find Daniel Boone Cornmeal was a burnt run. Several folks commented that they had never heard the phrase before.
Using burnt run to mean an unsuccessful endeavor is very common in my area of Appalachia.
A few examples.
“We drove over to Franklin cause we heard there was a produce stand that had a good deal on corn, but it was a burnt run. They didn’t have hardly no corn and you’d of thought it was gold for what they were asking for it.”
“He took a load of watermelons down to Copperhill. Thought he’d sell them out of the back of his truck, what with the tourists and all, but it was a burnt run. He never sold a one.”
I looked in the Dictionary of Smoky Mountain English and the Dictionary of Southern Appalachian English, but neither had an entry.
I did find two “burnt” entries in a couple of my other reference books.
Mountain Range A Dictionary of Expressions From Appalachia To The Ozarks written by Robert Hendrickson: burnt hurry – Great haste. “He got over there in a burnt hurry.”
Southern Mountain Speech written by Cratis D. Williams: burnt-out dog – worthless, hunted out.
I’ve never heard burnt hurry nor burnt-out dog, but I sure like burnt hurry and think I’ll start using it.
Are you familiar with burnt run?
Last night’s video: Summer Supper in Appalachia: Kraut & Weenies, Soup Beans, Cornbread and Vegetables from the Garden.
Tipper
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A burnt run is new to me but in my family we often say “chicken operation”. It means you are doing something very unusual or out of the norm. Example: yesterday I went on a chicken operation to look at buying an RV. Similar to a wild goose chase but not exactly.
Here in Northern Mississippi, my family called it a dry run. Isn’t it interesting how sayings in different areas are close but not exactly the same? Another saying is… if you hoot with the owls, you’ll be flying off with them. I guess that is similar to birds of a
feather, flock together.
I’m the military if something does not pan out (happen like you expected) it’s called a dry run. Also used to practice some things that are to happen later!
I made Matt’s Cinnamon Orange Pull Apart Bread after church this morning…..Omgosh, that will be our new Christmas morning treat for sure from now on!! I prepped everything last night so I could get it on its second rise before church this morning! Tastes exactly like Christmas!!!!
I have heard Daddy use the term “burnt run” to mean a wasted trip.
praise God we got a little rain
Never heard that term here in my neck of the woods either, but we do say a dry run.
Tipper,
Your burnt run, I believe, is the same as our dry run in Upper East Tennessee. Well, that was a dry run since we could find no ripe tomatoes.
Never heard it, but I can’t wait to use it. I have been burned, or burnt, out in the sense of being dog tired, and we all know of unfortunate souls who’ve been burned/burnt out by a house fire, but I vote to leave “burnt run” in its original form, no “burned” about it.
I didn’t receive your post yesterday. I’ve never heard of the term “burnt run” only burnt out. I enjoyed your video “Summer Supper in Appalachia: Kraut & Weenies, Soup Beans, Cornbread and Vegetables from the Garden.”
Tipper–I’m so late likely no one will see this, but I’ve heard burnt run all my life. It has always been used to mean a waste of time or an exercise in futility.
I’m awful late today, did not get the post just after 6am as usual. Got here from the “mountain cornfields” post. I think Papaw is on to something as to how “burnt run” came to be but it would – I think – mean “run” being used to mean “a batch”. I’m thinking in milling it is called a “turn”. I do think in moon shining the cooking off of a single batch of mash barrel(s) is called a “run”. And I’m guessing if the fire was too hot or the mash got too dry it would scorch it and ruin the rest of the ” run”. Would be better for the moonshiners if the phrase “burnt run” was commonly used in their area with another meaning? Anyway, I had never heard it before.
I always thought of a “turn” as the amount of corn a man could carry to the mill, turn into cornmeal then turn around and carry home. Often, if not most of the time, you would just bring your corn, the miller would inspect and measure it and give you an equal quantity of cornmeal, minus the toll.
unless it was white corn. then you wanted it ground straight up.
I never heard burnt run but have always said at the end of the day, I’m burnt out.
I’ve never heard that expressions before. Interesting saying though. Your post today was almost a ‘burnt run’ as I didn’t receive it as usual so I had to go searching. Happy I found it. 🙂 Have a great day Tipper and family and hope you got some rain through the night!
I have never heard that before but it makes sense.
Yes Mam, I’ve heard burnt run all my life. Most likely comes from my NE MS visits with parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and a passel of cousins:) Come to think of it, I’ve certainly used burnt out at meaning completely wore out:) Thank you Tipper for all the work you do in writing this blog which brings back those wonderful memories of our growing up years with the people we dearly loved.
I use the phrase burnt out a lot, but I have never heard burnt run. When you used burnt run to refer to an unsuccessful trip, it definitely made perfect sense to me though. When I was working, I may have said I need a vacation because I am getting ‘burnt out’ at work…meaning I needed a break. I also use to to mean I am worn out or tired…like after working outside in the heat, I may come in the house and say I am so ‘burnt out’ I can’t even think about cooking dinner. I have used a similar phrase, ‘burns me up’, to mean I am upset…as in It really ‘burns me up’ when people toss out trash along the road. Thanks for teaching us new words and phrases.
Burns my hide too when I see that!
Speaking of cornmeal what if instead of coating or battering my okry, I just dump it in a thin cornmeal batter, stir it up good and fry it like a pancake. Wouldn’t that be the best of both worlds? It’d have to be better than blackberry cornbread!
I have heard the phrase burnt run all my life….I am always shocked when I hear other people have not heard the words or phrases that are common place to me. Hope your mom’s dr appointment had positive outcome
“Burnt run” could refer to actually milling of flour and cornmeal. If you set your stones too close together heat will build up and either cook or actually burn the finished product, making it useless. It could also have to do with making jelly, apple butter, etc. If left unattended it could scorch on the bottom and impart a burnt taste, making it unusable. In either case your efforts end in abject failure or as my mother would say “It’s a pour out!”
I think that’s where the saying came from.
I’ve never heard burnt run, but I sure use the phrase burnt out just about every day! Like Randy, I’m burnt out on these hot days and all the ads on facebook!!
Everyone have a great day! Blessings to all.
I agree with Randy and Debbie. I noticed that expression but don’t remember hearing it. It’s a good one. I thought looking for your post today might be a burnt run at first. It wasn’t on my feed but I searched your web site and found it. Rain yesterday and last night missed me again. I’m hoping for a chance today and thankful I don’t have flooding as some people do. Guess I’ll have to wait my turn. At least it’s not as hot.
I’ve never heard that expression before. I’ve heard burnt out though.
Never heard of burnt run but we use burnt out.
I have never heard the phrase burnt run, but have and do say burnt out meaning tired, wore out or no energy. Seems like I am burnt out a lot more often now than I use to be, especially on these hot humid days we have been having.