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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

Pronunciation

[FROG STRANG-lur]

Meaning & Usage

- A very heavy rainstorm (noun)

At the porch steps
Mae:
Think it’ll pass quick?

Earl:
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

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.

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

Kin Words, Stories and More

Common Questions

Does "frog strangler" mean dangerous weather?
Not necessarily - it just means a very heavy rain.
Is it only Southern?
Yes - it’s strongest in the South and Appalachia, though folks elsewhere may pick it up from country talk.
Do people still say it today?
Yes - especially in rural areas, and it pops up in country songs and storytelling.
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