Grandma Janie Belle Carroll Chesnutt (1892-1976), a lifelong resident of Sampson County, used more animal-based figures of speech than anyone I have ever known. My English teachers would have said Grandma Chesnutt used “similies” to give her speech color and clarity.
Here are two-dozen examples of what I mean:
Strong as an ox
Scary as a bear
Frisky as a squirrel
Pop-eyed as a rabbit
Cold as a frog
Cute as a speckled puppy
Tight as a tick
Stubborn as a mule
Slick as an eel
Crooked as a snake
Loose as a goose
Black as a crow
Humble as an old whipped dog
Gentle as a lamb
Fast as a deer
Mad as a wet hen
Wise as an owl
Quiet as a mouse
Soft as a kitten
Busy as a bee
Blind as a bat
Sly as a fox
Hungry as a wolf
Slow as a turtle
Exmple: Hey, I need to ax you sumptin"
That my friends is the complete sampsonese.