What does “hick” mean?
The phrase "hick" refers to a person from a rural area who is often perceived as uneducated and mentally slow (n.) or a term used to describe something or someone from a provincial or rural background (adj.). When someone uses the term "hick", they are typically making a derogatory or judgmental statement about a person's intelligence or cultural background.
How is the expression used in real life?
Learn when and how to use these expressions with these examples!
Example
He's such a hick. He doesn't know anything about city life.
He's such a hick. He doesn't know anything about city life.
Example
Don't be such a hick and try to adapt to the urban environment.
Don't be such a hick and try to adapt to the urban environment.
Example
She grew up in a small town and has a bit of a hick accent.
She grew up in a small town and has a bit of a hick accent.
What context can I use each expression in?
- 1Mocking or belittling someone from a rural area
He's such a hick. He doesn't know anything about city life.
He's such a hick. He doesn't know anything about city life.
Don't be such a hick and try to adapt to the urban environment.
Don't be such a hick and try to adapt to the urban environment.
- 2Describing someone with a rural background or accent
She grew up in a small town and has a bit of a hick accent.
She grew up in a small town and has a bit of a hick accent.
He's a real hick, always talking about farming and hunting.
He's a real hick, always talking about farming and hunting.
- 3Referring to someone as uneducated or mentally slow
Don't listen to him, he's just a hick with no knowledge of the world.
Don't listen to him, he's just a hick with no knowledge of the world.
She may be a bit of a hick, but she's got a heart of gold.
She may be a bit of a hick, but she's got a heart of gold.
Good things to know:
What is the origin of the phrase?
The term "hick" originated in American English and is derived from the word 'hickory', which is a type of tree commonly found in rural areas. It gained popularity as a derogatory term used by urban dwellers to mock or belittle people from rural or provincial areas.
Can the phrase be used on its own?
The term "hick" is typically used in a sentence to describe someone or their behavior. It is not commonly used on its own.
Is the phrase offensive?
The term "hick" is considered offensive. It is used to derogatorily describe a rural person as uneducated and mentally slow.
Audience for the phrase
The term "hick" is offensive and should be avoided. It is not appropriate to use in any context as it perpetuates stereotypes and derogatory attitudes towards rural people.
Is the phrase specific to an accent or country?
The term "hick" is primarily used in American English and is specific to the American region. It is used to mock or belittle people from rural areas in the United States.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- rural person
- country person
- provincial person
- rustic person
- non-urban person
Antonyms
- urban person
- city person
- metropolitan person
- cosmopolitan person
- sophisticated person
