   Hotter’n Blue BlazesIn Appalachian and Southern speech, "hotter than blue blazes" means extremely hot. It’s a vivid way of describing oppressive heat, whether the weather, a stove, or even tempers running high. #SouthernSayings #Appalachia #WeatherandSeasons #Nature #Southern Hillbilly Dude Says...  I never heard 'hotter'n blue blazes' growin' up, but I hear it a couple counties over. So it may be slightly regional. Hillbilly Dude Says... I never heard 'hotter'n blue blazes' growin' up, but I hear it a couple counties over. So it may be slightly regional. Pronunciation[HOT-ur than bloo BLAY-ziz] Meaning & Usage- Extremely hot temperature (adjective phrase)
Mae:
How’s it outside?
Earl:
It’s hotter than blue blazes - don’t plan on mowin’ yet.- Intensely heated or fired up (figurative)
Mae:
Why’s he stompin’ around?
Earl:
He’s hotter than blue blazes over that bill.variations: hotter'n blue blazes, hotter than blazes ★ "Hotter than blue blazes" is colorful but family-friendly. It exaggerates the heat for comic effect, making it perfect for small talk and storytelling. ★ Origin and EtymologyThe phrase likely ties to the imagery of "blue blazes," a term once used for lake of fire or intense flames. Blue fire burns hotter than red, making it a natural exaggeration for extreme heat. It has been recorded in American speech since at least the 1800s. Usage NotesStill widely used across the South and Appalachia, especially in summer talk. Outsiders may recognize it, but it carries a distinctly rural and old-fashioned flavor. Say It Like a SouthernerSaid plain: "hot-er than blue blay-ziz." The "blue blazes" part is drawn out for emphasis. | ...
About 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... |