What does “yokel” mean?
The slang phrase "yokel" refers to a person who is unrefined and has limited education, typically from a rural or countryside background. They may exhibit a lack of sophistication or experience with urban life.
How is the expression used in real life?
Learn when and how to use these expressions with these examples!
Example
He's such a yokel. He doesn't know anything about city life.
He's such a yokel. He doesn't know anything about city life.
Example
Don't be such a yokel and try to broaden your horizons.
Don't be such a yokel and try to broaden your horizons.
Example
She's a total yokel. She's never been outside of her small town.
She's a total yokel. She's never been outside of her small town.
What context can I use each expression in?
- 1Mocking someone's lack of knowledge or sophistication
He's such a yokel. He doesn't know anything about city life.
He's such a yokel. He doesn't know anything about city life.
Don't be such a yokel and try to broaden your horizons.
Don't be such a yokel and try to broaden your horizons.
- 2Describing someone from a rural area with limited experiences
She's a total yokel. She's never been outside of her small town.
She's a total yokel. She's never been outside of her small town.
He's just a yokel who doesn't understand the complexities of modern society.
He's just a yokel who doesn't understand the complexities of modern society.
- 3Insulting someone's lack of sophistication or cultural awareness
You're such a yokel for not knowing basic etiquette in a formal setting.
You're such a yokel for not knowing basic etiquette in a formal setting.
I can't believe he wore that outfit to a fancy restaurant. What a yokel!
I can't believe he wore that outfit to a fancy restaurant. What a yokel!
Good things to know:
What is the origin of the phrase?
The term "yokel" originated as a derogatory slang term used to mock people from rural areas. It is often used to imply that someone is unsophisticated or ignorant due to their lack of exposure to urban life.
Can the phrase be used on its own?
The term "yokel" is typically used within a sentence to describe someone. It is not commonly used on its own.
Is the phrase offensive?
The term "yokel" is considered offensive. It is used to describe a simple, poorly-educated person from the countryside.
Audience for the phrase
The term "yokel" is generally not appropriate to use in polite or formal settings. It may be used among friends or in casual conversations, but it is important to consider the potential offensiveness and derogatory nature of the term.
Is the phrase specific to an accent or country?
The term "yokel" is not specific to any particular accent or region. However, it is more commonly used in English-speaking countries where there is a distinction between urban and rural areas.
