foundered
Stuffed sick from eating too much, or worn out from it.
Also called founder.
Updated September 21, 2026
foundered pronunciation
/FOWN-derd/
Meaning
After a holiday spread or a third helping of beans, you are foundered: belly full, appetite gone, maybe a little miserable. Farm talk borrowed from livestock that get sick after gorging on grain. People say it with a grin more often than panic. "Foundered on green beans" means you have had your fill of that dish for a while.
How folks use it
- “I'm foundered on that chocolate cake. Don't offer me another slice.”
- “Uncle Joe foundered himself at Thanksgiving and had to loosen his belt on the porch.”
Origin and etymology
From livestock "founder," when a horse or cow gets sick (sometimes lame) after overeating. Appalachian families carried the word to the dinner table by the 1800s. Dictionary of Smoky Mountain English records it for people humorously applied. Separate from a ship foundering at sea.
Frequently asked questions
Is foundered the same as floundering?
No. Floundering is thrashing around. Foundered here means you overate and feel it.