chawbacon

noun

chaw·​ba·​con ˈchȯ-ˌbā-kən How to pronounce chawbacon (audio)

Did you know?

Chaw is an alteration of chew that is still used in some English dialects, especially in rural areas. Cured pork, or bacon, was a staple of some rural folks’ diets in the past. Since the 16th century, chaw has been combined with bacon to create a ludicrous name for an uncultured yokel. Over the centuries, the word has lent its delicious dialect flavor to a wide range of publications, but it has become less common in recent decades. Today, city dwellers are as likely as country folk to chow down on bacon, and the word chawbacon isn’t often on the lips of either group.

Examples of chawbacon in a Sentence

the townspeople were offended by the documentary's portrayal of them as an unwashed mass of chawbacons

Word History

Etymology

chaw entry 1 + bacon

First Known Use

1537, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chawbacon was in 1537

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near chawbacon

Cite this Entry

“Chawbacon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chawbacon. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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