  Knee High to a GrasshopperIn Appalachian and Southern talk, "knee high to a grasshopper" means very young or very small. It’s a colorful way of saying someone was just a little kid at the time. Hillbilly Dude Says...  I've heard old timers say, 'I've known him since he was knee high to a grasshopper.' Pronunciation[nee hahy tuh uh GRASS-hop-er] Meaning & Usage- Very small / very young (phrase)
Mae:
I’ve watched her grow since she was knee high to a grasshopper.
Earl:
And now she’s taller than both of us.other spellings: since you were little, when you were just a kid, and back when you were tiny ★ This saying’s not about grasshoppers - it’s about exaggeration. ★ OriginThe phrase first appeared in American English in the 1800s and became popular across the South and Midwest. It plays on the contrast between a child’s small size and the even smaller grasshopper. In Appalachia, it’s a common folksy way to mark someone’s early years. NotesYou’ll hear this phrase when someone’s reminiscing about childhood or bragging on how long they’ve known somebody. It’s usually used affectionately, not literally. Say It Like a SouthernerSay it plain but playful: "nee high tuh a GRASS-hop-er." The charm’s in the rhythm - it rolls off the tongue like a phrase meant for storytelling. | 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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