In Appalachian and Southern speech, "pig skins" means pork rinds - fried pieces of pig skin that puff up into a crunchy snack. They’re a favorite at gas stations, ballgames, and country stores.
We always called 'em 'pig skins' growin' up, but it's mainly just heard from old timers nowadays.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
We always called 'em 'pig skins' growin' up, but it's mainly just heard from old timers nowadays.
Pronunciation
[PIG skinz]
Meaning & Usage
- Pork rinds as a snack (noun, plural)
At the gas station
Mae:
Want chips or candy?
Earl:
Nah, get me a bag of pig skins.
- Fried pig skin in general (noun)
Talking about snacks
Mae:
What are those?
Earl:
Just fried pig skins - crunchy as can be.
variations: pork rinds, fried pig skin, skins, bag of pig skins from the store, eatin’ pig skins at the ballgame, hot sauce on pig skins
★ Don’t mix up pig skins with cracklins. Pig skins are puffed and airy, usually from store-bought bags. Cracklins are denser and meatier, often made fresh after hog-killin’ or lard rendering. ★
Origin and Etymology
From the simple country name for what they are - fried pig skin. While "pork rinds" is the common packaging term, Southern and Appalachian folks often call them "pig skins."
Usage Notes
Still very common in Southern and Appalachian speech. You’ll see "pork rinds" on the bag, but locals often ask for "pig skins" instead.
Say It Like a Southerner
Said plain: "pig skins." Often shortened in casual talk: "pigskinz."
No - pig skins are puffed and light, while cracklins are denser and meatier.
Do people outside the South say "pig skins"?
Less often - "pork rinds" is more common elsewhere.
Where do you usually find them?
Gas stations, ballgames, and country stores, often in big plastic bags.
How to Cite This Page
APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 5). Pig Skins. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/pig-skins
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Pig Skins." HillbillySlang.com, 5 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/pig-skins.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Pig Skins." HillbillySlang.com. September 5, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/pig-skins.
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Created by a true, actual, proper, real-life hillbilly, HillbillySlang 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...
We always called 'em 'pig skins' growin' up, but it's mainly just heard from old timers nowadays. 
