How do you use "Slower than molasses" in a sentence?

That checkout line was slower than molasses. He moves slower than molasses on a winter morning. The permit office is slower than molasses — it took three months.

Slower than molasses

Q: What does "Slower than molasses" mean?

Extremely slow; painfully unhurried. One of many Southern similes for slowness. The full version is often 'slower than molasses in January' — since cold molasses pours incredibly slowly. It's used for people, processes, or anything that takes an excruciatingly long time.

American Slang Term American ★★★★☆ Common informal

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Meaning: Extremely slow; painfully unhurried.

极其缓慢；慢得让人抓狂。

Extremadamente lento; desesperantemente pausado.

極端に遅い。じれったいほどのんびりしている。

극도로 느린. 답답할 정도로 느긋한.

One of many Southern similes for slowness. The full version is often 'slower than molasses in January' — since cold molasses pours incredibly slowly. It's used for people, processes, or anything that takes an excruciatingly long time.

这是南方众多形容慢的比喻之一。完整版通常是'slower than molasses in January'（比一月份的糖蜜还慢）——因为寒冷的糖蜜倒出来极其缓慢。可以用来形容人、流程或任何花费极长时间的事物。

Una de las muchas comparaciones sureñas para la lentitud. La versión completa suele ser 'slower than molasses in January' (más lento que la melaza en enero), ya que la melaza fría fluye increíblemente despacio. Se usa para personas, procesos o cualquier cosa que tarde un tiempo exasperante.

南部に多い「遅さ」を表す直喩の一つ。完全版は「slower than molasses in January（1月の糖蜜より遅い）」——冷えた糖蜜は信じられないほどゆっくり流れるため。人、手続き、あるいは気が遠くなるほど時間がかかるあらゆるものに使われる。

느림을 표현하는 수많은 남부식 비유 중 하나이다. 전체 표현은 'slower than molasses in January(1월의 당밀보다 느린)'인 경우가 많은데, 차가운 당밀은 믿을 수 없을 만큼 천천히 흘러내리기 때문이다. 사람, 절차, 또는 지독하게 오래 걸리는 모든 것에 사용된다.

Examples

That checkout line was slower than molasses.
那个收银台的队伍慢得像糖蜜一样。
Esa cola de la caja era más lenta que una tortuga.
あのレジの列は気が遠くなるほど遅かった。
그 계산대 줄은 기가 막히게 느렸어.
He moves slower than molasses on a winter morning.
他动作比冬天早晨的糖蜜还慢。
Se mueve más lento que la melaza en una mañana de invierno.
彼は冬の朝の糖蜜より遅い。
그는 겨울 아침의 당밀보다 더 느려.
The permit office is slower than molasses — it took three months.
那个许可证办事处慢得要命——花了整整三个月。
La oficina de permisos es desesperantemente lenta — tardaron tres meses.
許可申請窓口はとんでもなく遅い——3ヶ月もかかった。
그 허가 사무소는 끔찍하게 느려 — 석 달이나 걸렸어.

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

Context: impatience, descriptions, humor

Tone: exasperated, humorous

✓ Do Say

Slower than molasses.
Slower than molasses.（比糖蜜还慢。）
Más lento que una tortuga.
Slower than molasses.（糖蜜より遅い）
당밀보다 느리다.
Slower than molasses in January.
Slower than molasses in January.（比一月份的糖蜜还慢。）
Más lento que una tortuga en enero.
Slower than molasses in January.（1月の糖蜜より遅い）
1월의 당밀보다 느리다.

✗ Don't Say

Don't use to describe someone with a disability — it's meant for things that should be faster
不要用来形容残障人士——这个表达是指那些本应更快的事物
No lo uses para describir a alguien con una discapacidad — está pensado para cosas que deberían ser más rápidas.
障がいのある人に対して使わない——本来もっと速くあるべきものに対して使う表現
장애가 있는 사람에게는 사용하지 말 것 — 본래 더 빨라야 하는 것들에 쓰는 표현이다

Origin & History

Based on the physical properties of molasses, a byproduct of sugar refining common in the South. Cold molasses is notoriously viscous and slow-flowing. The expression has been in American English since at least the 1800s.

Cultural Context

Era: Traditional

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Regional notes: Throughout the South