whistle pig
In Appalachian and Southern speech, a "whistle pig" is a groundhog (woodchuck). The nickname comes from the sharp whistle the animal makes to warn others of danger.
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Hillbilly Dude Says...
I didn't hear 'whistle pig', but you can hear it out in the country, mainly from old timers. Pronunciation
[WISS-ul PIG]
Meaning & Usage
- A groundhog / woodchuck (noun)
Mae:
What’s been digging under the shed?
What’s been digging under the shed?
Earl:
Looks like a whistle pig to me.
Looks like a whistle pig to me.other spellings: groundhog, woodchuck, and marmot
★ "Whistle pig" is an authentic Appalachian nickname for the groundhog. The animal gives a shrill whistle as a warning, which earned it the name. ★
Origin
Documented in the Dictionary of American Regional English and Appalachian dialect studies. The term "whistle pig" dates back to the 19th century in the Southern Appalachians, passed down through generations of hunters and farmers.
Notes
Still widely heard in Appalachia and surrounding regions. Outside the South people usually call it a groundhog or woodchuck, but "whistle pig" is instantly recognizable to locals.
Say It Like a Southerner
Said plain: "whiss-ul pig." In rural speech the "t" in "whistle" often softens or drops.