Do you Americans often use the idiom “have a frog in my throat” and if not what would be the more natural and common alternative you use?
Do you Americans often use the idiom “have a frog in my throat” and if not what would be the more natural and common alternative you use?
Comments
Very common.
It’s not as common anymore but I wouldn’t be caught off guard if someone said it
“Lump in my throat” might be more common but “frog in my throat” is still used
Pretty uncommon. Not 0% but I really only heard it in school when learning about how other languages say the same thing. This is an idiom and a very old one.
“I’m swallowing glass” is a similar idiom that I’ve heard much more recently, especially in reference to COVID.
I’ve heard it, but not for ages. It’s fallen out of use.
Personally, I haven’t heard anyone use that phrase in over 20 years. Maybe not since I was living in Massachusetts.
Yes, it’s very common.
I think it used to be more common, though I have not heard it used in years, perhaps decades
Was very common when I was growing up 70s/80s, haven’t heard it in at least 20 years.
It is used pretty regularly.
It’s pretty common, but recently I told my two year old she sounded like she had a frog in her throat and that did NOT go over well. She took it literally, so it was apparently her first time hearing the phrase.
Heard it all the time growing up in the 70’s and 80’s. I still use it.
It’s common enough that I don’t really notice people using or not using it. (Its meaning is common knowledge, so its usage doesn’t really stick out.)
It used to be common but it’s one of those phrases that fell to the wayside..
More common in the south, I think. I hear this all the time. It just means something stuck in my throat, like mucus or a bad cough.
Maybe it’s my age (42) but I have absolutely used this and heard it used. I would not think it unnatural or old-fashioned. I use it when I say something and it comes out hoarse or a bit “croaky.”
I saw it when I’m sick (or my kids are sick) and they have that funny sound when they talk.
Haven’t heard it in years but know what it means. If I was trying to talk and it came out weird I would just clear my throat and say excuse me I have something stuck in my throat.
It was more common years ago.
I said it yesterday 😂
It’s allergy season in PA. I say it a lot!
I haven’t heard it in a long time. I would have considered it much more common in the past (90s and earlier).
I don’t really say anything to replace it.. just “excuse me” and drink some water or something like that.
My mother, born in Massachusetts in 1938, would say that. She said it when she had a cough and was congested.
Still very common among folks 60+. I don’t hear younger people using it much, though.
Can’t say I’ve ever heard it said. Read it in books once or twice, but that’s about it.
Bron and raised in a suburb of NYC, age 46. I absolutely used it and heard often when I was kid. Hadn’t heard for a long time until my 10 year old used the expression a few months back.
I’ve occasionally used it.
It’s very old fashioned.
I remember years ago watching an award ceremony where Jim Henson came to the podium. He made a small cough and said “excuse me, I have a frog in my throat”
I have heard ot from older people. I have not heard the phrase used by people age 30 or younger.
Am I the only one here who’s never heard it before in my life?
It’s still used, but more casually people just say “my throat’s scratchy” or “my voice is messed up.”
I grew up saying it. I haven’t said it in at least 10 years, but I also feel like it hasn’t happened to me since I was a kid either…like I haven’t needed to say it.
I have lived in 7 states, multiple cities, both coasts and the Gulf. This is not a saying I can be sure I’ve ever heard, and certainly not one used routinely.
It has fallen out of use today. It was very common in the time of our grandparents – say, the 1940s and 1950s – but it gradually fell out of use.
I have not heard anyone use the expression in the wild in decades. Probably not since I was a kid in the 1970s and 1980s. I’ve heard it many times in movies and TV shows, read it in books, but those media were all older, created back when the expression was common, or are period pieces set in those days.
Pretty much no one uses it today. I wonder if someone under the age of thirty would even know what it means.
I think I’ve only ever heard my grandma say it and maybe a couple of times.
I grew up hearing it… Although I don’t really say it so much anymore. Although at the moment I do in fact, have a frog in my throat so maybe I should start again.
It’s extremely common.
Miss Piggy says it. Kermit is well endowed.
I have literally never heard in my life in person. I have only ever seen it in media a few times.
It’s been a fairly long time since I’ve heard that phrase used, but at the same time it wouldn’t be weird to hear. It’s more of an older person term.
I hadn’t noticed it falling out of use—maybe it has—but, while it’s a common phrase, it isn’t something you have reason to use often. It means “I have some mucous in my throat that affects my voice.”
Once I was speaking and my voice came out funny. My son was about for at the time and asked “What’s wrong with your voice.” I said “I have a frog in my throat.” His eyes got enormous and he said “Let me see!”
I think it’s falling out of fashion
More common 50 years ago. Still understood.
From upper Midwest originally and in my mid 40s. I have always used this phrase, as do other family members. Over the years it has morphed into me saying “my throat is froggy this morning.”
It used to be more common, but I haven’t heard it in years
I’m 23 (parents from Midwest, grew up in California) and I use it on a daily basis.
Never heard of that in my life. Like not once.
I hear “something stuck in my throat” instead
Very common in Mississippi. Everybody would know what you are meaning if you say it.
He used it and heard it, living in the Midwest
It’s an older person expression but I think everyone intuitively understands what it means.
Everyone knows the phrase
In my world it’s usually it’s used in the past tense, retrospectively (I was so nervous before my speech! I had a frog in my throat!)
Reading these comments I wonder if it’s regional here in the states. 49 years young and I don’t recall anyone ever saying it. I’ve read it in books.
I know the phrase and wouldn’t question it if I heard it today. But I haven’t heard it in person in a decade.
I can’t recall hearing anyone actually using that phrase, but I know what it means and, I assume, most Americans would know what it means.
my grandmother uses it a lot, but i never hear anyone else use it. not sure about alternatives
NY here. My child is 15 and when she was little and ill I would make her open her mouth so I can see the frog in her throat and let out little “ribbits” that would send her into giggles all the time.
My mom (early 50s) says it relatively often, but it’s not one that I (24) really picked up. So maybe a little old fashioned, but not archaic or anything.
I’m familiar with the expression, but can’t think of the last time I’ve heard it used.
I’d say it’s common, but not used very often (just because of the nature of it?).
Meanwhile if I’m hacking/coughing, sometimes I claim to have a hairball – but only around other cat owners.
“Why couldn’t Miss Piggy come to the phone?”
But also, yes I (42) also use this term occasionally.
It’s not something I use or hear often, but it’s not uncommon and I’d definitely understand what somebody meant if they said it to me
I was training a woman from Russia in a new position and had to clear my throat. When I said “ Excuse me, I have a frog in my throat” , she stared at me with a horrified look on her face. I’m older than most Redditors and it was a common saying at one time. Now, I doubt that not only foreigners, but most Americans are not familiar with it.
Ive never heard that phrase, looking it up. Ive only ever heard people say theyre hoarse
I think I remember my grandpa who died in 1989 saying it. Haven’t heard it since
Ah good question – I’ve heard it and totally know what it means, but I’d never say it. I’d probably say “my voice feels a little weak” or something similar
It’s pretty common. It means you sound kind of croaky.
Reasonably.
I’ve used it, and I hear it used somewhat often, I suppose. I’m not sure if there’s another common idiom used the same way. Beyond that, someone might just say, “excuse my voice, I’m coming down with something,” or something to that effect.
It was something I heard sometimes as a kid, but have not heard anyone say in years.
Very common.
I feel like it was more common when I was younger but it’s not unheard of
Not very common anymore, but it used to be.
I said it 2 days ago.
Looking across the comments, seeing it’s still very common from New Englanders. Other places not so much?
It’s fairly common.
I haven’t heard that in a while, but it wouldn’t be strange if someone did say it
Common at one point but very outdated. I’m 30, and I’ve only heard it used by cartoon characters when i was a kid. Specifically, to set up a joke where the young characters take the statement literally.
Some more natural expressions would be “I have a sore throat” “my throat is feeling raw today” ” I lost my voice” or “I’m feeling hoarse.”
Idk My family and I use it. Might be because, my mom and I both grew up incredibly close to my great grandma who was born in Arkansas in 1920.
I also use bones in place of frog sometimes. It’s been shortened down to “I’ve got bones” To be honest Idk how that one started at all.
I’m genuinely surprised by all these comments saying it’s common. I learned this phrase in 3rd grade as part of our section on idioms and have not heard it used or thought about it since. I’m in the 30s.
I say it all the time (when applicable)
I used to hear it often. I’m in my 40’s though. I haven’t heard it in ages.
I used to hear it a lot more, when I was younger. Still hear it, though.
It was common in the rural area I grew up in (far eastern Washington/almost northern Idaho for anyone curious!) but now that I’ve moved to California it’s pretty much non-existent.
I’m more inclined to say “sorry, I got something in my throat – excuse me!”
I have said the frog expression before, but I don’t really use it and can’t remember the last time I’ve said it. I think it’s fallen out of fashion and more of an expression older people use.
I use it, and I think it’s common. I don’t know how else I would idiomatically say “there’s something wrong with my throat that’s making it hard to speak.”
FWIW, I have seasonal allergies that make me “have a frog in my throat” fairly often.
It’s old fashioned. Not very common nowadays but was much more common mid 20th century and before.
I have never heard that until reading your comment. I’m 38, from NJ, and live in Colorado, for what it’s worth
Common for older folk
I’m in HS and I’ve never heard this phrase before 🤷♂️
I don’t think I’ve ever hear anyone say it.
Very common
I think that phrase has died out over the past 30 years or so, I haven’t heard it in a long time, but heard it all the time as a kid. My go to is “my voice is creaky today”. Maybe only people 60+ use it these days?
Haven’t heard it in a while but yeah, I’ve used it. People use it.
I can’t remember the last time I used that or heard it, but it’s common enough I know exactly what it means.
Deep South checking in. Still in common usage here though I would say not quite as much by the youngest among us.
This is the first time I’ve ever heard of that phrase
I definitely think it is a generational term. Older and maybe middle aged adults would be familiar with it but it likely wouldn’t be something younger generations would hear or say unless someone close to them said it frequently!
Extremely common phrase! In fact, I cannot think of an alternative (aside from the much more boring “my throat is irritated” sort of thing).
Pretty common. I can’t think of any alternative except like, “Sorry, I’m a little sick today.”
This is a well known phrase, but I wouldn’t consider it common at all. I can’t remember a specific instance of anybody ever using it, and it’s easily been years since I heard it.
I would just say “I’ve got something in my throat”
Used to be extremely common. Haven’t heard it in years though.
Pretty common.
I’ve heard it a lot. I don’t personally say this.
I live in the us now, never heard anyone use it here for the 10 years I’ve been here. However, where I grew up in sweden we’d say “crow” instead of “frog”
It’s old-fashioned but normal.
I haven’t heard it in YEARS
I’m gonna say it’s common in the south because I have and would say it myself and would not find it odd to hear anyone else say it.
Extremely normal, I hear it whenever someone has a cough or even just swallows wrong, etc
I’m 23 in Florida and haven’t heard it since I was a little kid and I think I’ve only seen it in media. I don’t think I’ve heard anyone say it in person
I think it’s regional and generational. I live in Colorado and I don’t hear it often, but when I visit my cousins in Texas, I hear it more
i’ve seen it in media, but i would say the phrase is relatively archaic in my neck of the woods.
It used to be fairly common. I hadn’t heard it for yrs though
Very. I think I say it weekly…along with being hoarse.
You don’t hear this phrase anymore. It’s lost popularity over time. Even “cat got your tongue” has died down too. Also usually this is something said to the person having trouble speaking, not by the person having trouble speaking.
Nowadays, people are typically more direct. It would be much more common to say someone is introverted, they are shy, or they are bad at public speaking
Regional. Not in vogue at the moment for the cosmopolitan.
Yes. Especially during cold and flu season. More people older than 35 or 40.
We also might say, “I lost my voice.”
Common enough for the majority of Americans to know what it means even if they don’t personally use it.
I say it almost daily. I struggle with phlegm during spring. I’ll start to talk and my voice will be stuck. I often immediately apologize “sorry, frog in my throat”
It’s a regular idiom here.
I live in New England and me and others say this all the time still
Very common.
I’ve heard that phrase maybe once or twice.
Dad was military so we moved a lot. Heard it a lot growing up. As an adult living on the East Coast now I don’t hear it much anymore. It seems to be more of a midwest thing.
I like how half the comments are “it’s super common” and half are “havent heard that in decades”, must be a regional thing.
It can be used when someone is sick or has a croaky morning voice.
Everyone is saying it’s common but I’ve literally not heard it since I was a kid
I’m 51, and I used to hear it in mid-80s tv shows or movies. I really haven’t heard it lately until now.
Pretty common, especially if you sing!
It means you need to clear your throat
I haven’t heard it in years. Maybe more of an East Coast thing? I tend to say “I have a tickle in my throat” now.
I’ve heard it all my life.
It’s so common to me that the question almost seems weird. And then i come to the comments its a mixed bag of yes, no, only here/never there, and only there/never here.
I can answer for me. I’ve said this my whole life (50 yo in California) on the rare occasion that I have a weird, croaky, lump feeling in my throat. I wouldn’t say I say it “a lot” because it doesn’t happen “a lot”
Don’t hear it very often but it’s well understood
Back when “musclebound porcupine” was a schoolyard insult.
I live in the North East and I’ve never heard this in my life lol
I used to hear it used all the time, although I don’t think I’ve ever said it myself.
For people saying it’s not common anymore, I think that’s just because its a phrase used mainly with kids and if, as an adult, you’re not around kids or you don’t use it with the kids you’re around, that’s why you don’t hear it.
It’s common in my area.
Heard it and used it many times.
I haven’t heard that phrase in a long time, but I remember hearing people use it when I was younger (could be my age or location – I grew up in the south but live up north now.) It means your voice is hoarse or you need to clear your throat.
It’s an older saying, sir, but it checks out.
Average age of person I’d expect to hear this from: 80ish
I’ve definitely heard it.
I haven’t heard someone say that since the 90s.
Very common. At least with Gen X and older generations.
I haven’t heard or said it in years, but I recognize the phrase and would know what someone meant if they said it.
I think it is an old expression. I haven’t heard it in so long that I’d forgotten it existed.
Never heard this in my life, grew up in New Jersey/NYC area.
I use it all the time
Usually only hear it more from people in their 40s or older
It’s kind of old-school but you could use it if you wanted to.
i use it when i do have such a frog.
Gosh, I used to hear this a long time ago like maybe back in the 60s or 70s? Haven’t heard it in a moon!
It is common and i know what it means, but I haven’t heard it be used in a while.
Very
It’s pretty common. I don’t think anyone would be confused by it.
I, an American in his early 40s, use this phrase all the time. It is one of the more common idioms, at least I always thought so. I don’t know any other idiom that I’d use for that situation. I might make something up once or twice just to emphasize severity, but it would probably revolve around some traditionally ‘slimy’ or ‘noisy’ creature. “Sorry for my raven voice” or “it’s a real hagfish-fest in the old gullet today”?
38, I used it this past week on a teams call.
I have one now!
The only time I remember hearing it was in children’s books or tv shows where some poor kid thought there was an actual amphibian in their or someone else’s throat because they didn’t know it was a turn of phrase.
It used to be a more common saying than it is now. It’s pretty much a dinosaur at this point.
More common now would be “choked up” I guess
Very common
I’m not sure I’ve ever heard it, but this could be a regional thing.
Once or twice a year, as often as I’m sick I suppose. It’s about as seasonal as candy canes
I have bad allergies and have been clearing my throat a LOT lately, and just a few days ago, I joked that I have to stop eating so many frogs, as they keep getting stuck.
It hasn’t been used very much in the past twenty years or so. It was more common earlier though, back when smoking was ubiquitous.
I’m familiar with it but have never heard it I’m person. Maybe in a movie and probably in a cartoon where it was part of the joke.
I grew up with, haven’t heard anyone I know other than my mom say it in a while though. But I think a lot of people know what it means haven if they don’t really use it themselves.
Currently have a frog in my throat.
I don’t remember ever hearing it said (directly to me at least) in Hawaii.
I’ve never heard anyone say this. I’ve heard “lump in my throat,” but not”frog”