student asking question

As a suffix, what does "-pokes" mean? Could you give me some examples?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

Actually, "pokes" is not a common suffix! It's only used with the word "slowpoke," which is an informal word for someone who moves or acts slow; a very slow person. The word "poke" itself means a push or thrust with something long or pointed, like a finger. There was something called a "poke" to keep sheep and animals form jumping farm fences, it slows them down. Which is where the term "slowpoke" came from. Ex: Please stop poking my shoulder, John. It's annoying. What do you want? Ex: The slowpokes were catching up with us in the race.

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