loblolly
A mudhole, or the common Southern pine named for wet ground.
Also called loblolly pine.
Updated September 24, 2026
loblolly pronunciation
/LOB-lol-ee/
Meaning
In Southern talk, a loblolly is a mire: soft, sticky mud that will suck a boot. The same word names the loblolly pine, the tall yellow pine that likes low, swampy ground across the Southeast. Farmers and timber folks say loblolly for both the mess underfoot and the tree that grows in it.
How folks use it
- “That tractor ruts turned the lane into a loblolly.”
- “They planted loblolly on the old field for pulpwood.”
Origin and etymology
Started as sailors' talk for thick gruel or porridge (lob "to bubble" + lolly "broth"). In the American South the porridge feel transferred to mudholes. The pine got the name because it thrives in those wet bottomlands.
Frequently asked questions
Is loblolly just a tree?
No. First it means mudhole in Southern speech. The pine is named for the wet places where it grows.