peckerwood

noun

peck·​er·​wood ˈpe-kər-ˌwu̇d How to pronounce peckerwood (audio)
Southern US and Midland US, offensive
used as an insulting and contemptuous term for a rural white Southerner

Word History

Etymology

probably inversion of woodpecker

First Known Use

1904, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of peckerwood was in 1904

Dictionary Entries Near peckerwood

Cite this Entry

“Peckerwood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peckerwood. Accessed 13 Nov. 2024.

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