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Hotter’n Blue Blazes

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "hotter than blue blazes" means extremely hot. It’s a vivid way of describing oppressive heat, whether the weather, a stove, or even tempers running high.

#SouthernSayings   #Appalachia   #WeatherandSeasons   #Nature   #Southern

Hillbilly Dude Says...
I never heard 'hotter'n blue blazes' growin' up, but I hear it a couple counties over. So it may be slightly regional. 
Hillbilly Dude Says...
I never heard 'hotter'n blue blazes' growin' up, but I hear it a couple counties over. So it may be slightly regional. 

Pronunciation

[HOT-ur than bloo BLAY-ziz]

Meaning & Usage

- Extremely hot temperature (adjective phrase)

Mae:
How’s it outside?
Earl:
It’s hotter than blue blazes - don’t plan on mowin’ yet.

- Intensely heated or fired up (figurative)

Mae:
Why’s he stompin’ around?
Earl:
He’s hotter than blue blazes over that bill.
variations: hotter'n blue blazes, hotter than blazes
★ "Hotter than blue blazes" is colorful but family-friendly. It exaggerates the heat for comic effect, making it perfect for small talk and storytelling. ★

Origin and Etymology

The phrase likely ties to the imagery of "blue blazes," a term once used for lake of fire or intense flames. Blue fire burns hotter than red, making it a natural exaggeration for extreme heat. It has been recorded in American speech since at least the 1800s.

Usage Notes

Still widely used across the South and Appalachia, especially in summer talk. Outsiders may recognize it, but it carries a distinctly rural and old-fashioned flavor.

Say It Like a Southerner

Said plain: "hot-er than blue blay-ziz." The "blue blazes" part is drawn out for emphasis.

Kin Topics

Related Pages

Common Questions

Does "hotter than blue blazes" always mean the weather?
No - it can describe stoves, tempers, or anything fiercely hot.
Is it only Southern?
Strongest in Southern and Appalachian speech, but known in other regions too.
Do people still use it today?
Yes - it’s a bit old-fashioned but still a colorful, recognizable saying.

How to Cite This Page

  • APA (7th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 8). Hotter Than Blue Blazes. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/hotter-than-blue-blazes
  • MLA (9th edition)
    "The Hillbilly Dude." "Hotter Than Blue Blazes." HillbillySlang.com, 8 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/hotter-than-blue-blazes.
  • Chicago (17th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. "Hotter Than Blue Blazes." HillbillySlang.com. September 8, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/hotter-than-blue-blazes.
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