Sicker’n a Dog
In Appalachian and Southern talk, "sicker than a dog" (often clipped to "sicker’n a dog") means very sick or miserable. It’s a colorful exaggeration that turns ordinary sickness into plainspoken drama.
#SouthernSayings #Appalachia #PeopleandRelationships #BlendedWords #Southern #BodyandHealth
Hillbilly Dude Says...
Nobody want's to be 'sicker’n a dog' - and that's how most folks would phrase it. Hillbilly Dude Says...
Nobody want's to be 'sicker’n a dog' - and that's how most folks would phrase it. Pronunciation
[SICK-ur ’n a DAWG]
Meaning & Usage
- Very sick, unwell, or miserable (adjective phrase)
Mae:
Why didn’t you come to church?
Why didn’t you come to church?
Earl:
I was sicker’n a dog from somethin’ I ate.
I was sicker’n a dog from somethin’ I ate.variations: sick as a dog
★ "Sicker’n a dog" doesn’t mean anything about actual dogs - it’s just country exaggeration. The clipped "’n" is what makes it feel especially Southern/Appalachian. ★
Origin and Etymology
The phrase "sick as a dog" dates back to at least the 1700s in English, when dogs were often seen as dirty or prone to illness. In the South and Appalachia, the form "sicker’n a dog" took root and became part of everyday porch talk.
Usage Notes
Common throughout English, not just Southern - but the clipped form "sicker’n a dog" carries a strong Southern and Appalachian flavor. Still heard often today, especially in family talk and storytelling.
Say It Like a Southerner
Said plain: "sick-er ’n a dawg." The "than" is shortened to "’n," which gives it that Southern/Appalachian ring.
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How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, October 5). Sicker Than a Dog. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/sicker-than-a-dog
- MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "Sicker Than a Dog." HillbillySlang.com, 5 Oct. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/sicker-than-a-dog.
- Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "Sicker Than a Dog." HillbillySlang.com. October 5, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/sicker-than-a-dog.
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