   Scarce as Hen’s TeethIn Appalachian and Southern speech, "scarce as hen’s teeth" means extremely rare or nearly impossible to find. The image comes from the fact that hens don’t have teeth, making the phrase a colorful exaggeration for rarity. Hillbilly Dude Says...  I never heard 'scarce as hen’s teeth' until I was a grown up, but I do hear it around here. Pronunciation[skayrs az HENZ teeth] Meaning & Usage- Extremely rare (simile)
Mae:
Did you try it?
Earl:
Pie that good’s scarce as hen’s teeth.- Practically nonexistent (figurative)
Mae:
Find that old carburetor?
Earl:
Nope, they’re scarce as hen’s teeth nowadays.other spellings: rare as hen’s teeth ★ Though "rare as hen’s teeth" is also heard, "scarce as hen’s teeth" is the more traditional Southern/Appalachian form. ★ OriginThe phrase plays on the fact that chickens don’t grow teeth. It’s been used since the 1800s in American rural speech, especially in the South and Appalachia, as a vivid comparison for rarity. NotesStill common in Southern and Appalachian storytelling and humor. It may sound old-fashioned outside the region, but people generally understand it. Say It Like a SouthernerSaid plain: "scarce as hen’s teeth." Sometimes heard as "rare as hen’s teeth." | 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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