Proud as a Peacock

Proud as a peacock is a well-known English idiom meaning extremely proud or showing off. Though the animal imagery sounds Southern, the expression is centuries old and used worldwide.

#Southernish #Animals

synonyms: full of pride, struttin’, showing off, feeling mighty proud

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I used to think 'proud as a peacock' was one of those us hillbillies made up, but I don't reckon so!

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I used to think 'proud as a peacock' was one of those us hillbillies made up, but I don't reckon so!

Pronunciation

[PROWD az uh PEE-kok]
/ˈpraʊd æz ə ˈpiːkɑːk/

Meaning & Usage

- Extremely proud or showing off (simile)

Mama:

Billy won first place?

Aunt May:

Oh yeah. He’s proud as a peacock about it.

variations: proud as a peacock, struttin’ like a peacock

Origin

The phrase traces back to British English in the 1700s and refers to the peacock’s famously showy tail display.

While it shows up in the American South like anywhere else, it is not a uniquely Southern or Appalachian saying and does not appear in older regional dialect collections as a homegrown expression.

It simply sounds "country" because animal comparisons are common in Southern speech.

Verdict: Southernish. Widely used English idiom, not Southern-born.

Notes

Used all over the English-speaking world.
Fits naturally in Southern conversation even though it isn’t Southern-specific.
Often used for kids showing off accomplishments.
Pairs with other pride metaphors like "struttin’ his stuff."

Kin Topics

Animals

Common Questions

Is this a real Southern saying?

No - it began in British English and is used worldwide.

What does it mean?

Someone is extremely proud, showing off, or pleased with themselves.

Why do people think it’s Southern?

Because the South uses a lot of colorful, animal-based comparisons, so the rhythm of the phrase sounds Southern even though it isn’t Southern-born.

Do Southerners use it today?

Yes, but no more than people anywhere else. It’s a universal idiom.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, November 15). Proud as a Peacock. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southernish/proud-as-a-peacock
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Proud as a Peacock." HillbillySlang.com, 15 Nov. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southernish/proud-as-a-peacock.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Proud as a Peacock." HillbillySlang.com. November 15, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southernish/proud-as-a-peacock.

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