Snake Feeder
In Southern and Appalachian speech, a snake feeder is another folk name for a dragonfly - rooted in the old belief that dragonflies feed snakes or hover where snakes are found.
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synonyms: dragonfly (folk name), snake doctor, devil’s darning needle
Hillbilly Dude Says...
Snake feeder' is only I've only read, not heard. So I'm assuming it's more of a regional, old timers phrase. Pronunciation
[SNAKE-FEE-dur] /ˈsneɪk ˌfiːdɚ/
Meaning & Usage
- A dragonfly (folk name)
Tommy:
Look at them snake feeders dartin’ over the water.
Look at them snake feeders dartin’ over the water.
Ruby:
Grandma says they feed snakes - I think they’re just dragonflies.
Grandma says they feed snakes - I think they’re just dragonflies.variations: snake feeder, snakefeeders
★ Southerners use "snake feeder" alongside "snake doctor" as interchangeable folk names for dragonflies. ★
Origin
Documented in Southern and Appalachian folklore and newspapers since at least the late 19th century. People believed dragonflies fed snakes or followed them to water, inspiring the nickname.
Notes
- Snake feeder - folk name for a dragonfly found in Southern and Appalachian speech.
- Related to snake doctor and devil’s darning needle.
- Still recognized among older speakers but largely replaced by "dragonfly" in everyday use.