Granddaddy Long Legs
In Appalachian and Southern speech, a "granddaddy long legs" is a harmless spindly-legged critter, also called a daddy longlegs. Locals often just say "grandaddies."
Hillbilly Dude Says...
We've only ever know them as 'granddaddy long legs' - that's what you'll hear from most everbody. Hillbilly Dude Says...
We've only ever know them as 'granddaddy long legs' - that's what you'll hear from most everbody. Pronunciation
[GRAN-dad-ee long legs]
[GRAN-daddies]
Meaning & Usage
- Granddaddy long legs (noun)
Mae:
Them grandaddies don’t hurt a soul.
Them grandaddies don’t hurt a soul.
Earl:
Still gives me the willies when they crawl on me.
Still gives me the willies when they crawl on me.variations: grandaddies, daddy longlegs, harvestman, cellar spider (mistakenly), long-leg spider, harmless spider
★ Despite looking like spiders, granddaddy long legs aren’t dangerous. Old hill stories claim they’re the most poisonous spiders but can’t bite humans - but that’s just a myth. ★
Origin and Etymology
The name likely came from their spindly legs and slow crawl, "granddaddy" suggesting old age. The term is widely used in the South and Appalachia.
Usage Notes
Common across Appalachia and the South. Older folks often say "grandaddies," dropping the long legs. Kids know them well from porches, barns, and fields.
Say It Like a Southerner
Most often said plain and quick: "gran-daddies." The "long legs" part drops in everyday talk.
Kin Topics
Related Pages
How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 9). Granddaddy Long Legs. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/granddaddy-long-legs
- MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "Granddaddy Long Legs." HillbillySlang.com, 9 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/granddaddy-long-legs.
- Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "Granddaddy Long Legs." HillbillySlang.com. September 9, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/granddaddy-long-legs.
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