snake doctor
A dragonfly — the old Southern and mountain name for one.
Also called snake feeder, dragonfly.
Updated September 24, 2026
snake doctor pronunciation
/SNAYK DOK-ter/
Meaning
In redneck and Appalachian talk, a snake doctor is a dragonfly buzzing over the creek or pond. Folklore said they followed snakes and stitched them back together when they got hurt. That yarn stuck, so the insect got a doctor's title. Some families save the name for skinny damselflies and call the bigger ones dragonflies, but around a lot of hollers snake doctor covers the whole bunch.
How folks use it
- “Look at that snake doctor skimming the cow pond.”
- “Mama said if you see a snake doctor, there's a snake close by.”
Origin and etymology
Southern and Midland folk name for a dragonfly, tied to the belief that the bug doctors injured snakes. American Heritage notes snake doctor as the most widespread Southern term, with snake feeder as the Midland cousin. Dictionary of Smoky Mountain English and DARE cite it across East Tennessee and western North Carolina from the 1930s on.
Frequently asked questions
Is a snake doctor really a doctor for snakes?
No. It's just a dragonfly. The doctor story is old folklore from watching them share wet ground with snakes.