Stuck in My Craw
In Southern and Appalachian speech, stick in (someone’s) craw means to deeply bother or irritate a person, like a wrong that won’t go down easy. When someone says something "really stuck in my craw," it means they’re still stewin’ over it.
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synonyms: grate on, eat at, get under one’s skin, bug, irritate
Hillbilly Dude Says...
I've definitely heard folks say 'sticks in my craw,' but it's not one I use myself on a regular basis. Hillbilly Dude Says...
I've definitely heard folks say 'sticks in my craw,' but it's not one I use myself on a regular basis. Pronunciation
[stuhk in mah craw]
/stʌk ɪn ma krɔː/
/stʌk ɪn ma krɔː/
Meaning & Usage
- To cause lingering anger or resentment (idiom)
Mavis:
He took credit for that idea of mine.
He took credit for that idea of mine.
Clara:
I know it, and it’s stuck in my craw ever since.
I know it, and it’s stuck in my craw ever since.variations: sticks in my craw, stuck in his craw, stick in your craw
★ If somethin’s "stuck in your craw," it’s probably best not to let it fester too long - or it’ll start talkin’ back. ★
Origin and Etymology
A craw (or crop) is a pouch in a bird’s throat where food collects before digestion. The saying likely originated in rural America by the early 1800s, comparing a hard-to-swallow offense to something literally stuck in a bird’s craw. Its heavy use across the South and Appalachia kept it alive long after it faded elsewhere.
Usage Notes
Typically used for resentment, not mild annoyance. Common forms include:
- stuck in my craw - past action still bothers you.
- sticks in my craw - ongoing irritation.
- get in your craw - something that’ll soon bother you.
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