Schlept

Schlept is an informal English verb meaning to carry or haul something, usually with effort or inconvenience. It is the past tense form of schlep; in more formal or standard writing, the past tense is typically spelled schlepped, but schlept remains widely understood in casual speech and writing. The verb traces to Yiddish schlepen (to drag, haul) and ultimately to German schleppen (to lug).

Usage is primarily colloquial and humorous, and the term is common in North American English. Examples in conversation include: “We schlept the luggage up three flights of stairs,” or “She schlept through the crowded hallway after a long day.” The spelling schlept can impart a retro or tongue‑in‑cheek tone; schlepped is generally preferred in formal or printed contexts.

Related terms include the noun schlep, which can denote a burdensome journey or a person who schleps. The present participle schlepping and the derived noun schlepper (a person who schleps) are also used in everyday language. The word remains popular in casual speech, humor, and pop culture, where it often conveys an easygoing or self-deprecating tone while describing tedious or heavy lifting. See also: schlep, schlepping.