Frog Strangler
In Southern and Appalachian speech, a "frog strangler" means a sudden, heavy downpour of rain. It’s a colorful way to describe a storm so fierce it could drown frogs in the puddles.
#SouthernSayings #Appalachia #Animals #WeatherandSeasons #Nature #Southern
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. 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]
Meaning & Usage
- A very heavy rainstorm (noun)
Mae:
Think it’ll pass quick?
Think it’ll pass quick?
Earl:
Hard tellin’. It’s a frog strangler right now.
Hard tellin’. It’s a frog strangler right now.variations: gully washer, cloudburst, soaker, deluge, we got caught in a frog strangler, that storm was a frog strangler if I ever saw one
★ "Frog strangler" is a funny, folksy exaggeration. It doesn’t mean anyone’s hurt - just that the rain’s comin’ down in buckets. ★
Origin and Etymology
Likely arose in 19th-century Southern speech, where frogs were a common sight in flooded ditches and fields. The phrase paints a comic picture of rain so fierce even frogs would struggle.
Usage Notes
Still heard widely in the South and Appalachia, especially from older speakers and in rural areas. Outsiders may not know it, but once they hear it, they don’t forget it.
Say It Like a Southerner
Said plain: "frog-strang-ler." The two words often run together quick in country speech.
Kin Topics
Related Pages
How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 7). Frog Strangler. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/frog-strangler
- MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "Frog Strangler." HillbillySlang.com, 7 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/frog-strangler.
- Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "Frog Strangler." HillbillySlang.com. September 7, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/frog-strangler.
advertisement...
Most Popular
About
Created by The Hillbilly Dude, this site 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...Slang, folklore, culture, and accent vary from place to place, even ridge to ridge - this is how I know it. Read the full disclaimer and terms of use • Privacy Policy
© Hillbilly Slang | Original audio and content not for reproduction or AI training without permission. Keeping the Mountains Talking 'Til The Cows Come Home