whistle pig
A groundhog; named for that sharp alarm whistle.
Also called groundhog, woodchuck, whistle hog.
Updated September 24, 2026
whistle pig pronunciation
/WHISS-ul pig/
Meaning
Same chunky burrower Yankees call a woodchuck or groundhog. Appalachian and Southern mountain folks say whistle pig because the animal cuts loose with a high whistle when danger shows. They tear up corn hills, sun on the road bank, and fatten up before winter. DARE maps the name thick along the Appalachians.
How folks use it
- “The whistle pigs have ruined the corn on the hill.”
- “We call them whistle pigs down South, not groundhogs.”
Origin and etymology
Named for the alarm call. Dialect Notes listed whistle-pig for groundhog in western North Carolina by 1917. DARE records chiefly Appalachian use, with citations from Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, and nearby hills. Also heard as whistle hog or whistling pig.
Frequently asked questions
Is a whistle pig different from a groundhog?
No. Same animal. Whistle pig is the mountain name.