Crawdad / Crawdaddy
In Appalachian and Southern speech, "crawdad" is the common word for a crayfish - the small, lobster-like crustacean living in streams and creeks. It’s a staple of rural childhood and creek play.
synonyms: crayfish, crawfish
Hillbilly Dude Says...
I didn't know they were called anything other than 'crawdads' and 'crawdaddies' until the moment I wrote this! Hillbilly Dude Says...
I didn't know they were called anything other than 'crawdads' and 'crawdaddies' until the moment I wrote this! Pronunciation
[KRAW-dad]
Meaning & Usage
- Small freshwater crustacean (crayfish) (noun)
Mae:
What y’all catching?
What y’all catching?
Earl:
Just a mess of crawdads for the bucket.
Just a mess of crawdads for the bucket.variations: crawdaddy
★ "Crawdad" is the go-to word in Appalachia and much of the South, while "crayfish" dominates the Northeast and "crawfish" the Gulf Coast. It’s one of the clearest regional differences in American English. ★
Origin and Etymology
Derived from "crayfish" (Middle English "crevis") through folk alteration. Chiefly found in the South, South Midland, and West, and celebrated in folk songs like "Crawdad Song."
Usage Notes
Still widely used in the South and Appalachia. Outside the region it’s recognized but less common, seen as rural or nostalgic. The word often evokes childhood memories of creeks, nets, and summer days.
Say It Like a Southerner
Say it plain: "craw-dad." The "dad" is quick and soft, often pluralized as "crawdads."