devil's darning needle
A dragonfly, plus the old scare story about sewing kids' mouths shut.
Also called darning needle, snake doctor, mosquito hawk, dragonfly.
Updated September 21, 2026
devil's darning needle pronunciation
/DEV-ulz DARN-in NEE-dul/
Meaning
Old country name for a dragonfly, the long skinny flyer over ponds and ditches. Grown folks used the name to spook kids: misbehave or lie and that needle might sew your lips. Harmless bug, heavy folklore. In the South you may also hear snake doctor or mosquito hawk for the same insect.
How folks use it
- “Look at that devil's darning needle skimming the stock pond.”
- “Mama said if we fibbed, a devil's darning needle would sew our mouths shut.”
Origin and etymology
Folk names for dragonflies are thick across English. Devil's darning needle comes from European superstition that the insect sews shut the mouths, eyes, or ears of liars and naughty sleepers. American dialect maps list it beside snake doctor and mosquito hawk. Mama's warning kept the name alive longer than the belief.
Frequently asked questions
Can a devil's darning needle really sew your mouth shut?
No. That was a scare tale for kids. Dragonflies do not sew anything.