Zigzag Fence
A zigzag fence - also called a snake fence, worm fence, or split-rail fence - is a traditional wooden fence built in a zigzag pattern without posts or nails, common in the rural South and Appalachia.
synonyms: rail fence, traditional fence, rustic fence
Hillbilly Dude Says...
Those 'zigzag fences' made of split wood are still all over the place around here. Hillbilly Dude Says...
Those 'zigzag fences' made of split wood are still all over the place around here. Pronunciation
[ZIG-zag FENS]
/ˈzɪɡ.zæɡ fɛns/
/ˈzɪɡ.zæɡ fɛns/
Meaning & Usage
- Traditional fence pattern
Ruby:
Why’s it all crooked?
Why’s it all crooked?
Papaw:
That’s a zigzag fence - easier to build without posts, and it holds up.
That’s a zigzag fence - easier to build without posts, and it holds up.variations: snake fence, worm fence, split-rail fence, zig-zag fence, zigzag rail fence
★ Zigzag fences can stand without posts because the crisscross pattern braces itself. They’re iconic on old Southern farms and historic battlefields alike. ★
Origin and Etymology
Brought to the Southern Appalachians by early European settlers, especially Scots-Irish and German farmers. The design dates back to the 1700s and was prized for its simplicity - no need to dig post holes or buy nails, just split rails stacked in a zigzag pattern.
Usage Notes
- Common names include worm fence, snake fence, and split-rail fence; "zigzag fence" is the more formal description.
- Still found on farms, old homesteads, and historic parks in the South and Appalachia.
- Some fences were topped with rails or woven with brush to keep livestock in or predators out.
- The zigzag pattern makes the fence sturdier on uneven ground.
Kin Topics
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How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 27). Zigzag Fence. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/zigzag-fence
- MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "Zigzag Fence." HillbillySlang.com, 27 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/zigzag-fence.
- Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "Zigzag Fence." HillbillySlang.com. September 27, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/zigzag-fence.
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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...