hoop snake

American  

noun

1. any of several harmless snakes, as the mud snake and rainbow snake, fabled to take its tail in its mouth and roll along like a hoop.

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hoop snake British  

noun

1. any of various North American snakes, such as the mud snake ( Farancia abacura ), that were formerly thought to hold the tail in the mouth and roll along like a hoop

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Etymology

Origin of hoop snake

An Americanism dating back to 1775–85

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hoop snake

I had sense enough not to take no shortcuts and stuck to the road so’s I could at least see the hoop snake hunting party if I ran up on it.

From "Elijah of Buxton" by Christopher Paul Curtis

I said, “But, Ma, I ain’t looking to die even one time, ’specially not from no hoop snake bite!

From "Elijah of Buxton" by Christopher Paul Curtis

I'd have no hobnobbing with a hoop snake.

From A Dream of Empire Or, The House of Blennerhassett by Venable, William Henry

That is how pisen a hoop snake is.

From Mitch Miller by Sloan, John

The "hoop snake" was quite as authentic to us as the blue racer, although no one had actually seen one.

From A Son of the Middle Border by Garland, Hamlin