Frog Giggin’

In Appalachian and Southern speech, frog gig (or gigging) means to hunt frogs at night using a multi-pronged spear, usually for food. It’s both the name of the tool and the act itself.

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Hillbilly Dude Says...

'Frog gigging' ain't my thang - and it wasn't anything we did growin' up. I've always like hoptoads, and no way I'd ever wanna be involved in this.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

'Frog gigging' ain't my thang - and it wasn't anything we did growin' up. I've always like hoptoads, and no way I'd ever wanna be involved in this.

Pronunciation

[FRAHG gig]
/frɑg gɪg/
[FRAHG gig-in]
/frɑg ˈgɪg.ɪn/

Meaning & Usage

- To hunt frogs using a spear (verb)

Earl:

Y’all ready to go frog gigging?

Mae:

Shine that light steady - I see one in the reeds.

- The spear or gig used for frog hunting (noun)

June:

Hand me that frog gig. Tines are bent.

Ruby:

I’ll straighten ’em while you get the spotlight.

variations: frog gig, gigging, gig a frog, frog hunting, gig

★ A classic gig has three to five barbed tines and a long pole. In the South, a calm night, a spotlight, and a good gig make frog legs a summertime treat. ★

Origin and Etymology

From older English "gig," meaning a pointed spear. The practice took hold in the rural South and Appalachia by the 1800s, where frogs were hunted for food using homemade or forged multi-tined gigs.

Usage Notes

"Frog gigging" is strongly associated with rural Southern and Appalachian foodways, especially on warm nights near creeks, ponds, or sloughs. The term "gig" can refer to either the tool or the act itself, depending on context.

frog gig - the multi-tined spear used for catching frogs
frog gigging - the act of hunting frogs, usually at night
gig - can mean either the tool or the action, depending on usage
frog spear - a less common term outside the South/Appalachia

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Do you need a spear to frog gig?

Yes - the gig is the multi-pronged spear used to catch the frog.

Is frog gigging illegal anywhere?

It depends on local wildlife laws. Some states require permits or limit seasons.

Is this only Southern/Appalachian?

No - frog gigging exists elsewhere, but the terms "frog gig" and "gigging" are especially strong in Southern and Appalachian regions.

Is "frog spear" the same as a frog gig?

Yes - same tool, different name. "Gig" is the traditional Southern/Appalachian term.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, November 21). Frog Gigging. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/frog-gig
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Frog Gigging." HillbillySlang.com, 21 Nov. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/frog-gig.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Frog Gigging." HillbillySlang.com. November 21, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/frog-gig.