Squallin’ Like a Stuck Pig
In Appalachian & Southern speech, "squalling like a stuck pig" means crying, wailing, or hollering extremely loudly. The key word squalling marks this as a distinctly regional phrasing.
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Hillbilly Dude Says...
I've heard 'squallin’ like a stuck pig' out in the country. It's not a common one, but you'll hear it. Hillbilly Dude Says...
I've heard 'squallin’ like a stuck pig' out in the country. It's not a common one, but you'll hear it. Pronunciation
[SQUALL-in like a stuck pig]
/ˈskwɔːl.ɪn laɪk ə stʌk pɪɡ/
Meaning & Usage
- To cry or scream very loudly (verb phrase)
Mama:
Why’s he fussin’ like that?
Why’s he fussin’ like that?
Granddad:
He’s squallin’ like a stuck pig ’cause he dropped his ice cream.
He’s squallin’ like a stuck pig ’cause he dropped his ice cream.- To protest loudly (figurative)
Etta:
They raised the dues a dollar and the whole crew’s been squallin’ ever since.
They raised the dues a dollar and the whole crew’s been squallin’ ever since.★ The Southern/Appalachian word squall is what makes this version regional. "Squealing like a stuck pig" is understood everywhere, but "squalling" is homegrown. ★
Origin and Etymology
The imagery comes from hog butchering, where a stuck pig would let out a loud, piercing squeal. Rural regions kept the phrase alive, but Southern and Appalachian speakers favored the verb "squall," making the expression sound more local.
Usage Notes
Used mostly by older speakers and in rural communities.
Considered informal and a bit sharp, but not vulgar.
The "stuck pig" imagery can be intense, so it’s usually used jokingly or for exaggeration.
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How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, November 26). Squalling Like a Stuck Pig. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/squalling-like-a-stuck-pig
- MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "Squalling Like a Stuck Pig." HillbillySlang.com, 26 Nov. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/squalling-like-a-stuck-pig.
- Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "Squalling Like a Stuck Pig." HillbillySlang.com. November 26, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/squalling-like-a-stuck-pig.
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