In Southern and Appalachian speech, a "frog strangler" refers to a sudden, extremely heavy downpour, the kind of rain that hits fast and floods ditches in minutes.
I do hear people use 'frog strangler' from time to time. But I'm not a big fan because I enjoy frogs. Not too cool.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
I do hear people use 'frog strangler' from time to time. But I'm not a big fan because I enjoy frogs. Not too cool.
Pronunciation
[FROG STRANG-lur]
/ˈfrɔg ˌstræŋ.glɚ/
Meaning & Usage
- A very heavy rainstorm (noun)
Watching a storm roll in
Mae:
You think it’ll ease up soon?
Earl:
Not yet - it’s a real frog strangler out there.
★ "Frog strangler" is pure Southern hyperbole - nobody’s hurting any frogs. It’s just the quickest way to say the rain’s pouring down in sheets. ★
Origin and Etymology
A Southern and Appalachian folk expression recorded since at least the early 20th century. It draws on the everyday sight of frogs in flooded fields and ditches, exaggerating the force of a downpour through humorous imagery.
Usage Notes
The phrase remains familiar across the rural South and Appalachia, especially among older speakers. It’s most often used during sudden cloudbursts or summer storms, and its humor makes it memorable even to newcomers.
Used for short, intense bursts of rain, not slow all-day drizzles.
Often appears in storytelling, country speech, and local weather talk.
In print, "frog strangler" is usually kept as two words.
Closely related to other Southern rain terms like "gully-washer."
Not necessarily - it refers to very heavy rain, not the severity of wind or lightning.
Is it a uniquely Southern expression?
Yes, it’s strongly rooted in Southern and Appalachian speech, though it may appear elsewhere through cultural spread.
Do people still say it today?
Yes - especially in rural areas, small towns, and weather-related storytelling.
How to Cite This Page
APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, December 9). Frog Strangler. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/frog-strangler
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Frog Strangler." HillbillySlang.com, 9 Dec. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/frog-strangler.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Frog Strangler." HillbillySlang.com. December 9, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/frog-strangler.
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Created by a true, actual, proper, real-life hillbilly, HillbillySlang is a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia but reaching across the world. Every slang word, saying, accent and story is gathered from first-hand experience and trusted sources. The goal: preserve authentic voices and share them with writers, learners, and culture lovers everywhere - with a little humor thrown in here and there. Read more...
I do hear people use 'frog strangler' from time to time. But I'm not a big fan because I enjoy frogs. Not too cool. 
