whistle pig
A groundhog (woodchuck).
Definitions
An Appalachian nickname for the groundhog, named for the shrill whistle it gives as an alarm.
whistle pig In A Sentence
Origin & Usage
Southern Appalachian coinage dating to the 1800s, from the animal's warning whistle; recorded by DARE.
People Also Ask
What is a whistle pig?
It's an Appalachian nickname for the groundhog, also called a woodchuck.
Why is a groundhog called a whistle pig?
The name comes from the sharp, shrill whistle the animal makes as an alarm call.
Where is the term whistle pig used?
Chiefly in Southern Appalachia, where it dates back to the 1800s.
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