Every Old Crow Thinks Hers Is the Blackest
In Southern and Appalachian speech, every old crow thinks hers is the blackest means that everyone believes their own is the best - especially parents about their children, or anyone about their own work or possessions.
#SouthernSayings #Appalachia #PeopleandRelationships #Southern
synonyms: everybody thinks their own is best, mother-hen pride, proud-parent talk
Hillbilly Dude Says...
I didn't hear 'every old crow thinks hers is the blackest' growin' up - I've only read it. Hillbilly Dude Says...
I didn't hear 'every old crow thinks hers is the blackest' growin' up - I've only read it. Pronunciation
[EVER oh crow thanks HUHRS is thuh BLA-yuk-ust]
/ˈɛv.ɚ oʊ kroʊ θæŋks hɜːrz ɪz ðə ˈblæjʌkɪst/
/ˈɛv.ɚ oʊ kroʊ θæŋks hɜːrz ɪz ðə ˈblæjʌkɪst/
Meaning & Usage
- Everyone believes their own is best or the best among others (proverbial saying)
Maw:
Did you see what little Tommy done built?
Did you see what little Tommy done built?
Pap:
Yep - and every old crow thinks hers is the blackest, don’t let him fool ya.
Yep - and every old crow thinks hers is the blackest, don’t let him fool ya.variations: every crow thinks hers is the blackest, every old crow thinks hers is blackest
★ When you hear this, folks are pokin’ gentle fun at the pride people take in their own - usually with a grin and a bit of good humor. ★
Origin and Etymology
The saying draws on farmyard imagery of the black crow, common across the rural South and Appalachia. "Hers is the blackest" suggests that even among black birds, each old crow still believes her own stands out. Written and oral examples appear in Southern speech throughout the 20th century, preserved in regional proverb collections and local newspapers.
Usage Notes
Heard across the South and Appalachia, often when talk turns to proud parents, show-offs, or folks boasting about their own. Variants sometimes omit "old" or shorten "hers is the blackest" to "hers is blackest."
- every old crow thinks hers is the blackest - full traditional form
- every crow thinks hers is the blackest - shortened variant
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