boocoos Play audio

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "boocoos" means a whole lot of something - more than you can count.

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Hillbilly Dude Says...
People are still using 'boocoos', especially if they're talking about a real large amount. 

Pronunciation

[BOO-kooz]

Meaning & Usage

- A large amount (noun, plural)

Elmer:
We got boocoos o’ taters this year.
Estel:
Reckon we’ll be eatin’ ’em clear through next spring.
other spellings: beaucoups, boo-koos, boo coos, bukus, and bukoos
★ If you’ve got boocoos of somethin’, you ain’t runnin’ out anytime soon. ★

Origin

From the French word "beaucoup," meaning "many" or "a lot." Likely filtered into Southern English through military contact (especially in Louisiana) and spread into Appalachian speech.

Notes

"Boocoos" is informal and often exaggerated for effect - it can mean "a lot" literally or just "more than usual."

Kin Topics

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Common Questions

Is "boocoos" spelled the same everywhere?
Nope - you might see "boo-koos," "buku," or "beaucoups," but they all sound the same.
Does it always mean "a lot"?
Pretty much, though it’s often used in a playful or exaggerated way.
Where is it most common?
You’ll hear it in the South, Appalachia, and among folks with military backgrounds.
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