If a Frog Had Wings, He Wouldn’t Bump His TailIn Southern and Appalachian speech, "If a frog had wings, he wouldn’t bump his tail" means there’s no use wishin’ for what ain’t possible. It’s a humorous way to say, "If things were different, they’d be different." #SouthernSayings #Appalachia #PeopleandRelationships #Southern #Proverbs synonyms: wishful thinking, daydreaming, no use crying over spilled milk Hillbilly Dude Says... Pronunciation[EE-f uh FRAWG had WINGS, he WOOD-unt BUMP his TAIL] /ɪf ə frɔːg hæd wɪŋz hi ˈwʊdənt bʌmp hɪz teɪl/ Meaning & Usage- To dismiss wishful or impossible thinking (proverb / saying)
Uncle Joe:
Aunt Ruth:
variations: if a frog had wings, it wouldn’t bump its hind end Origin and EtymologyRecorded in Southern humor and folk speech since the early 1900s, especially in Tennessee, Georgia, and Kentucky. The saying likely grew from the older English proverb "If wishes were horses, beggars would ride," but took on a distinct Southern flavor through country wit and animal imagery. Usage NotesCommon in old-time talk and country humor, often used to stop talk about "what might’ve been." Still heard in the South, usually shortened to "If a frog had wings""
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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... |