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. 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 and Etymology
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.
Usage 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."
Kin Topics
Related Pages
How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 23). Hog Waller. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/hog-waller
- MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "Hog Waller." HillbillySlang.com, 23 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/hog-waller.
- Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "Hog Waller." HillbillySlang.com. September 23, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/hog-waller.
advertisement...
Most Popular
About
Created by The Hillbilly Dude, this site is a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia but reaching across the world. Every slang word, saying, accent and story is gathered from first-hand experience and trusted sources. The goal: preserve authentic voices and share them with writers, learners, and culture lovers everywhere - with a little humor thrown in here and there. Read more...Slang, folklore, culture, and accent vary from place to place, even ridge to ridge - this is how I know it. Read the full disclaimer and terms of use • Privacy Policy
© Hillbilly Slang | Original audio and content not for reproduction or AI training without permission. Keeping the Mountains Talking 'Til The Cows Come Home