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Pregnancy CravingsSouthern Folklore About Baby Gender

A Southern old wives’ tale and pregnancy superstition: if a mother craves sweet foods, it means she’s carrying a girl; if she craves salty or sour foods, it means a boy.

#SouthernFolklore  

Origin

This superstition has been told in the South and Appalachia for generations, usually by older women watching what an expectant mother reached for at the dinner table. While variations of the craving tale appear in Europe and other places, Southerners adopted it and passed it down right alongside other pregnancy folklore like the wedding ring test or carrying high versus low.

Notes

Even today, you’ll hear folks say: "She keeps wanting sweets - must be a girl." Or, "All them salty cravings mean a boy for sure." For most, it’s playful guessing, but many Southern grannies once took this old wives’ tale to heart.

Kin Words, Stories and More

Dislaimer

All folklore shared here is part of Southern tradition and storytelling. It's not medical, legal, or practical advice - just the way our grandparents told it. Believe it or not, that's up to you.Learn more on the Folklore hub page.

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Created by The Hillbilly Dude, this site 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...
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