Hog Waller
In Southern and Appalachian speech, "Hog Waller" means a hog’s muddy wallow and, by extension, a rural or out-of-the-way place - a colorful term rooted in farm life.
synonyms: pig pen, mud hole, backwoods area
Hillbilly Dude Says...
You’ll hear "Hog Waller" in Southern and Appalachian speech for a muddy area where hogs roll around - and figuratively for a rough, rural spot or backwoods area. Pronunciation
[HAWG WAH-ler] /hɔːɡ ˈwɑlər/
Meaning & Usage
- A muddy area where hogs roll around (noun)
Pearl:
Watch your step - that’s the hog waller behind the barn.
Watch your step - that’s the hog waller behind the barn.- A rural or out-of-the-way place (figurative) (noun)
Earl:
He’s been living down in a little hog waller by the creek.
He’s been living down in a little hog waller by the creek.variations: hog wallow, hawg waller
★ "Hog waller" is a hallmark of Southern/Appalachian speech. "Waller" is the regional form of "wallow," reflecting the area’s farm life and colorful expressions. The figurative use for a rural spot shows how everyday farm words become vivid place descriptions. ★
Origin
From the Scots-Irish and British settlers who brought hog farming and dialect terms to Appalachia. "Waller" for "wallow" is documented in the 19th century, and "hog waller" as a figurative place name appears in rural newspapers and oral histories soon after.
Notes
Still heard in Southern/Appalachian speech today, both literally for the hogs’ muddy area and figuratively for an out-of-the-way rural place. Often appears in place names like "Hog Waller Creek" or "Hog Waller Hollow."
Say It Like a Southerner
Say it natural: "hog waller" - pronounced with a broad "a" in "hog" and "waller" instead of "wallow."