(US, UK, dialectal) Something which is very straight and very thin.
as/so thin as a yard of pump water; as skinny as a yard of pump-water; as straight as a yard of pump-water; like a yard of pump water
"a yard of pump water" is a regional or dialect word meaning something which is very straight and very thin. It is most likely picked up from family, a particular part of the country, or a piece of regional media. There is nothing to worry about: dialect vocabulary is a sign of place and heritage, not of any risky behaviour. If anything, it is a nice opportunity to talk about where the word comes from and which side of the family or which place uses it.
Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.
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