Scarce as Hen’s Teeth

In 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.

#SouthernSayings #Appalachia #Animals #Southern #FarmTalk

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I never heard 'scarce as hen’s teeth' until I was a grown up, but I do hear it around here.

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.

variations: 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. ★

Origin and Etymology

The 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.

Usage Notes

Still 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 Southerner

Said plain: "scarce as hen’s teeth." Sometimes heard as "rare as hen’s teeth."

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Do hens really not have teeth?

Correct - hens have beaks, not teeth, which makes the phrase humorous.

Which is older, "scarce" or "rare"?

"Scarce as hen’s teeth" is the older, traditional form, though "rare" is also used.

Is it still used today?

Yes, though more often by older generations and in rural speech.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 4). Scarce as Hen’s Teeth. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/scarce-as-hens-teeth
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Scarce as Hen’s Teeth." HillbillySlang.com, 4 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/scarce-as-hens-teeth.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Scarce as Hen’s Teeth." HillbillySlang.com. September 4, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/scarce-as-hens-teeth.