spit-and-sawdust

adjective

Of a bar, pub, etc. having a basic, traditional appearance and rudimentary facilities.

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Meanings

adjectivespit-and-sawdust (not comparable)
  1. colloquialnot comparableOf a bar, pub, etc. having a basic, traditional appearance and rudimentary facilities.

Origin

Since old drinking establishments might have had sawdust on the floor that patrons could spit on.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

spit-and-sawdust. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/spit-and-sawdust

MLA

“spit-and-sawdust.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/spit-and-sawdust. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “spit-and-sawdust,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/spit-and-sawdust.

Source: spit-and-sawdust on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.