Jar Fly
In Southern and Appalachian speech, a "jar fly" (or "jarfly") is another name for the cicada - the loud insect whose buzzing fills the air in late summer.
synonyms: cicada
Hillbilly Dude Says...
I think 'jar fly' may be a little more regional 'cause I don't rightly remember hearin' it growin' up. Pronunciation
[JAR-fly] /ˈʤɑɹ.flaɪ/
Meaning & Usage
- Cicada (noun)
Mamaw:
You hear them jar flies hollerin’?
You hear them jar flies hollerin’?
Grandson:
Reckon that means school’s fixin’ to start.
Reckon that means school’s fixin’ to start.variations: jarfly
Origin and Etymology
The term comes from the old verb "jar," meaning to buzz or vibrate harshly. "Jar fly" describes the sound cicadas make in summer trees. It’s been used throughout the Southern U.S. and Appalachia since at least the 1800s.
Usage Notes
Common across the South and Appalachia, especially in rural areas. Still widely understood, though younger speakers may use "cicada" instead. The arrival of jar flies often marks the change from midsummer to late summer in folk tradition.