In Southern and Appalachian speech, a "gully washer" means a heavy rainstorm strong enough to carve out ditches and gullies. It’s a vivid way of saying the rain came down hard and fast.
When there's a down pour, it's often called a 'gully washer' down here.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
When there's a down pour, it's often called a 'gully washer' down here.
Pronunciation
[GULL-ee WAH-shur]
Meaning & Usage
- A sudden, heavy rainstorm (noun)
On the porch after a storm
Mae:
Creek’s runnin’ muddy again.
Earl:
Yep - that gully washer filled it quick.
variations: frog strangler, cloudburst, downpour, soaker, that storm was a gully washer, a gully washer hit the holler
★ A "gully washer" paints a country picture - rain so strong it reshapes the land. It’s often used alongside "frog strangler" for extra color. ★
Origin and Etymology
The phrase comes from rural life, where sudden cloudbursts could erode hillsides and wash out gullies. Farmers and country folk coined "gully washer" to describe these destructive but common storms.
Usage Notes
Still common in the South and Appalachia, especially among older speakers. Sometimes heard in other rural regions, but it carries a strong Southern flavor. It often pairs with "frog strangler" as a colorful double-description of heavy rain.
Say It Like a Southerner
Said plain: "gull-ee wash-er." The words run quick together in Southern speech.
Not always, but it means rain heavy enough to rush through ditches and low spots.
Is it the same as a "frog strangler"?
Close - both mean heavy rain, but "gully washer" emphasizes the water cutting through the land.
Do people still use it today?
Yes - especially in Southern rural talk and storytelling about storms.
How to Cite This Page
APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 27). Gully Washer. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/gully-washer
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Gully Washer." HillbillySlang.com, 27 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/gully-washer.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Gully Washer." HillbillySlang.com. September 27, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/gully-washer.
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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...
When there's a down pour, it's often called a 'gully washer' down here. 
