woolly worm
In Southern and Appalachian speech, a "woolly worm" (or "woolly worm") is the fuzzy caterpillar of the tiger moth, especially the banded woolly bear. Folk tradition says its colored bands predict the coming winter.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
Purty much everybody around here calls 'em 'woolly worms' - and you'll hear winter predictions when they start showin' up. Pronunciation
[WOOL-ee WERM] /ˈwʊli wɜːrm/
Meaning & Usage
- Fuzzy caterpillar believed to predict winter (noun)
Mae:
Thick coat on that woolly worm this year.
Thick coat on that woolly worm this year.
Earl:
Means a cold winter’s comin’.
Means a cold winter’s comin’.variations: woolly bear, banded woolly bear, woolly caterpillar, winter predictor caterpillar
★ In Appalachian folklore, the more black on the woolly worm, the harsher the winter; the more brown, the milder. Banner Elk, NC even holds an annual Woolly Worm Festival to celebrate this mountain tradition. ★
Origin
From "woolly" (covered in wool-like fuzz) + "worm" (Old English for "caterpillar"). Recorded in Southern and Appalachian speech for generations, reflecting the region’s habit of giving plain, descriptive names to local creatures.
Notes
Still widely heard in mountain communities and rural Southern areas. Outside the region the same caterpillar is called "woolly bear," but "woolly worm" carries the folklore and charm.
Say It Like a Southerner
Say it natural: "woolly" often said as "wool-uh" or "wull-y." Cross-link to weather lore entries to show its folklore role.