   Gully WasherIn Southern and Appalachian speech, a "gully washer" means a heavy rainstorm strong enough to carve out ditches and gullies. It’s a vivid way of saying the rain came down hard and fast. Hillbilly Dude Says...  When there's a down pour, it's often called a 'gully washer' down here. Pronunciation[GULL-ee WAH-shur] Meaning & Usage- A sudden, heavy rainstorm (noun)
Mae:
Creek’s runnin’ muddy again.
Earl:
Yep - that gully washer filled it quick.other spellings: frog strangler, cloudburst, downpour, soaker, that storm was a gully washer, and a gully washer hit the holler ★ A "gully washer" paints a country picture - rain so strong it reshapes the land. It’s often used alongside "frog strangler" for extra color. ★ OriginThe phrase comes from rural life, where sudden cloudbursts could erode hillsides and wash out gullies. Farmers and country folk coined "gully washer" to describe these destructive but common storms. NotesStill common in the South and Appalachia, especially among older speakers. Sometimes heard in other rural regions, but it carries a strong Southern flavor. It often pairs with "frog strangler" as a colorful double-description of heavy rain. Say It Like a SouthernerSaid plain: "gull-ee wash-er." The words run quick together in Southern speech. | About We are a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia, but wide as the world. Read more... |
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