Hillbilly Slang

Authentic sayings, folk stories, and mountain wisdom.

◀ dern

devil’s walking stick

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "devil’s walking stick" is the name for a tall, thorn-covered plant (Aralia spinosa). With its spindly stalk and wicked spines, it looks like something the devil might use for a cane.

#Appalachia   #Nature   #Southern

Hillbilly Dude Says...
I've only known it as 'devil’s walking stick,' and it'll mess you up. Pop a tire on your tractor even, it's loading with rigid stickers. 

Pronunciation

[DEV-uhlz waw-kin stik]

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Meaning & Usage

- A thorny tree or shrub (Aralia spinosa) (noun)

Mae:
Watch out - that’s a devil’s walking stick.
Earl:
I hear ya. Those stickers’ll light you up.
other spellings: Aralia spinosa, prickly ash (regional overlap), toothache tree, Hercules’ club, devil’s cane, and thorn cane
★ Despite its wicked thorns, the plant has long been used in folk medicine for toothaches and stomach troubles. Some folks also call it Hercules’ club, but in the hills it’s usually the "devil’s walking stick." ★

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