As Fine As Frog's Hair

Huh? As fine as frog's hair? That's what my mother said when I asked how she was today. "As fine as frog's hair." I laughed and said, "I guess that means you feel pretty good." "Yep," she said. A little research took the meaning a little farther; it can also mean happy or content.

It originated in the United States in the mid 19th century, around 1865, by C. Davis. He wrote in his diary, "I have a better flow of spirits this morning, and, in fact, feel fine as frog's hair, as Potso used to say." It has made its way to every corner of the country.

In different parts of the country, "As fine as frog's hair," is expanded with different endings. One from Texas, "As fine as frog's hair split three [or four] ways," meaning absolutely so, extremely fine, or excellent. From the heart of Dixie, "As fine as frog's hair and twice as hard to see," implies individuals that are hard to track down. "Slippery as frog's hair", also from the South, indicates "new money feels as slippery as frog hair." Whether that means recently received or newly printed is not clear.

Any way you look at it, feeling "as fine as frog's hair" is feeling good indeed!


References

Gary Martin. (2009, Unknown). As fine as frog's hair. Retrieved from http://www.dailywritingtips.com/some-hairy-expressions/
Robert Hruzek (2008, August 7). Some Hairy Expressions. Retrieved from http://www.dailywritingtips.com/some-hairy-expressions/
Unknown (2009, Unknown). Finer than frog hair - Wiktionary. Retrieved from http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/finer_than_frog_hair

Randi Bowen