# Have you heard the term Swamp Duck **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 29, 2023, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-the-term-swamp-duck/993870 "2023-11-29T19:24:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-the-term-swamp-duck/993870/1 "2023-11-29T19:24:07Z")
I heard someone use the term ‘swamp duck’ today. I’d never heard it so I looked it up. Apparently it has several unrelated meanings. Some being: ~Often used by teachers, this term is widely used and will often make you cringe. (Sam please take your hat and headphones off my little swamp duck") ~It refers to a person that can do so many things, but master of nothing. (jack of all trades) ~A snitch, a liar, a conniver. Among other things. I even read it can be a term of endearment! But in my 60 + years on this planet, that was the first time I’ve heard it. Have you heard it, and if so, in what context? ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-the-term-swamp-duck/993870/2 "2023-11-29T19:26:32Z")
Nope, never heard it. If it’s a regional thing, I’m in Wisconsin. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-the-term-swamp-duck/993870/3 "2023-11-29T19:33:25Z")
The weird thing about the teacher definition is that it was described as “widely used”. Now granted, not a rock solid cite, but still… ---
**Author:** ![dorvann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df705f/32.png) [@dorvann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorvann)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-the-term-swamp-duck/993870/4 "2023-11-29T19:34:24Z")
I live in northern New England and have **never** heard it before in my life. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-the-term-swamp-duck/993870/5 "2023-11-29T19:38:36Z")
Where did you look this up? Because some sites, like Urban Dictionary, let just about anyone add whatever they want without needing cites or any sort of reference. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-the-term-swamp-duck/993870/6 "2023-11-29T19:39:10Z")
DC Metro - never heard it before. Would assume it meant a stinky person. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-the-term-swamp-duck/993870/7 "2023-11-29T19:41:52Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Where did you look this up? Because some sites, like Urban Dictionary, let just about anyone add whatever they want without needing cites or any sort of reference. > **[Slang Define: What is Swamp Duck? - meaning and definition](https://slangdefine.org/s/swamp-duck-19ad9.html)** > > Swamp Duck - 1. > A white guy who thinks he is black. > Come on weve all seen it > 2. > a bird...a snitch..a liar...a conniver...and a whore...someone who can't be trusted a Maybe that’s like UD, but I did get lots of search hits and I actually heard someone use it. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-the-term-swamp-duck/993870/8 "2023-11-29T19:43:39Z")
The homepage for that site says, “Feel free to add or update your Word or Slang Expression” so it’s open to anyone adding anything. ---
**Author:** ![dorvann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df705f/32.png) [@dorvann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorvann)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-the-term-swamp-duck/993870/9 "2023-11-29T19:59:17Z")
Like I said above I never heard the term before in northern New England but my first thought that comes to mind when I hear it is “a hillbilly for the rural bayous/swamps of Florida and/or Louisiana”. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-the-term-swamp-duck/993870/10 "2023-11-29T20:09:59Z")
Yep, a bayou dweller. Can be nice or not nice according to how it’s used. (Duck Dynasty peeps have monitized it) ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-the-term-swamp-duck/993870/11 "2023-11-29T21:31:20Z")
It was certainly meant as a term of endearment as used in long running British soap _Coronation Street_: [Great Britain 2020 TV Show Coronation Street - Vera my little swamp duck Stamp SG4378 MUH](https://www.maxstern.com.au/great-britain-2020-tv-show-coronation-street-vera) ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-the-term-swamp-duck/993870/12 "2023-11-29T22:01:39Z")
Born & raised in SoCal, lived all over the country, now in urban South Florida. First time I’ve heard or read the term. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-the-term-swamp-duck/993870/13 "2023-11-29T22:07:29Z")
Be kind to your web-footed friends For a duck might be somebody’s mother Be kind to the denizens of the swamp For they live where it’s very damp A swamp duck is just a duck, to me. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-the-term-swamp-duck/993870/14 "2023-11-29T22:20:04Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Be kind to your web-footed friends > For a duck might be somebody’s mother > Be kind to the denizens of the swamp > For they live where it’s very damp > **[Be Kind To Your Web-Footed Friends](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4qFP8WjWK4%2F)** > > Provided to YouTube by Columbia/LegacyBe Kind To Your Web-Footed Friends · Mitch MillerGreatest Hits℗ Originally released 1958 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENTRe... Childhood menories ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-the-term-swamp-duck/993870/15 "2023-11-29T22:22:07Z")
Never heard the term before. If I had to guess without context, I’d have through it referred to a double-crested cormorant. They’re common in Florida swamps and rivers. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-the-term-swamp-duck/993870/16 "2023-11-29T22:23:06Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > A swamp duck is just a duck, to me. Ah, but what is a Swamp Rabbit? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-the-term-swamp-duck/993870/17 "2023-11-29T22:44:24Z")
Chicago, never heard it. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-the-term-swamp-duck/993870/18 "2023-11-29T23:34:51Z")
Finger Lakes New York, have been elsewhere in USA, never heard it. I would have assumed somebody was talking about a kind of duck that likes swamps; though that probably includes quite a few ducks. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-the-term-swamp-duck/993870/19 "2023-11-29T23:38:03Z")
Been a teacher in SoCal for 37 years. Never heard the expression until the OP. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2023, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-the-term-swamp-duck/993870/20 "2023-11-30T02:48:28Z")
Both US coasts, never heard it. /ex-teacher (K-12, community college, undergraduate, graduate, 37 years in the classroom) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-the-term-swamp-duck/993870.md?page=2)