spit-and-sawdust

Questions

What does spit-and-sawdust mean?

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

Where does spit-and-sawdust come from?

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

How to pronounce spit-and-sawdust

1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “spit-and-sawdust”.
2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “spit-and-sawdust”.
4. Repeat and practice — Say “spit-and-sawdust” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.