Mean as a Snake

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "mean as a snake" is a vivid simile for someone who’s vicious, ornery, or ill-tempered. It draws on the real-life danger of snakes in rural life.

#SouthernSayings #Appalachia #Animals #PeopleandRelationships #Nature #Southern #FarmTalk

synonyms: vicious

Hillbilly Dude Says...

Oh this is a goto when somebody truly is mean - they 'mean as a striped snake' - sometimes 'mean as a striped snake' - but we pronounce it 'stripe-ed.'

Hillbilly Dude Says...

Oh this is a goto when somebody truly is mean - they 'mean as a striped snake' - sometimes 'mean as a striped snake' - but we pronounce it 'stripe-ed.'

Pronunciation

[MEENZ a STRIPE-ed
SNAY-eek]
/miːnz ə ˈstraɪpɪd sneɪk/

Meaning & Usage

- Describing someone as vicious or ill-tempered (simile)

Mae:

Is he friendly?

Earl:

No ma’am, he’s mean as a striped snake.

- Figurative warning about temperament (simile)

Mae:

The boss was in a mood today.

Earl:

Yep, mean as a snake.

variations: mean as a striped snake

★ This saying reflects rural life where venomous snakes pose real danger. It’s a quick way to paint a mental picture of someone’s bad temper without getting fancy. ★

Origin and Etymology

Documented in 19th- and early 20th-century Southern/Appalachian speech. Snakes like copperheads, rattlers, and moccasins were common hazards, making "mean as a snake" a natural simile for anger and danger.

Usage Notes

Still common in Southern and Appalachian talk, especially among older generations. Recognized elsewhere but feels distinctly country and old-timey in delivery.

Say It Like a Southerner

Said plain: "mean as a snake." Often drawn out for emphasis: "meeean as a snaaake."

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Does it mean literally dangerous?

Figuratively - it means the person is ill-tempered or vicious.

Is it only Southern?

Most at home in the South and Appalachia, though outsiders understand it.

Do people still say it?

Yes - especially in rural communities and storytelling.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, October 9). Mean as a Snake. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/mean-as-a-snake
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Mean as a Snake." HillbillySlang.com, 9 Oct. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/mean-as-a-snake.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Mean as a Snake." HillbillySlang.com. October 9, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/mean-as-a-snake.

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