Snake Doctor
In Southern and Appalachian speech, a snake doctor is a folk name for a dragonfly - a colorful nickname tied to old beliefs about snakes and dragonflies.
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synonyms: dragonfly (folk name), snake feeder, devil’s darning needle
Hillbilly Dude Says...
I've only read it (I didn't hear it growin' up), but 'snake doctor' is of my favorites. Hillbilly Dude Says...
I've only read it (I didn't hear it growin' up), but 'snake doctor' is of my favorites. Pronunciation
[SNAKE-DAHK-tur] /ˈsneɪk ˌdɒktɚ/
Meaning & Usage
- A dragonfly (folk name)
Ella:
Look at all them snake doctors flying over the water.
Look at all them snake doctors flying over the water.
Bobby:
Grandma says they sew up snakes if they’re hurt.
Grandma says they sew up snakes if they’re hurt.variations: snake doctor, snake doctors, snakedoctor
★ Southerners also call dragonflies "snake feeders" or "devil’s darning needles" - folk names linked to myths about snakes, stitching, and feeding. ★
Origin and Etymology
The term "snake doctor" appears in Southern/Appalachian folklore and newspapers dating back to at least the late 19th century. People believed dragonflies followed snakes to "heal" or "stitch up" their injuries, hence the nickname. Related folk names like "snake feeder" and "devil’s darning needle" show up in the same communities.
Usage Notes
- Snake doctor - classic Southern/Appalachian folk name for a dragonfly.
- Variants include plural "snake doctors" and the one-word form "snakedoctor."
- Often tied to myths about dragonflies sewing up snakes or keeping them company.
- Related folk names include snake feeder and devil’s darning needle.
- Still recognized among older speakers but increasingly replaced by the standard "dragonfly."