Booger
In Appalachian and Southern speech, "booger" often means "a difficult or troublesome thing" or "a mischievous person." This page covers the slang/dialect sense. For the folklore figure, see "Booger Man."
synonyms: troublemaker, rascal, difficult thing, pesky job
Hillbilly Dude Says...
I've heard 'booger' used in place of 'monster' all my life. It's common around here. Hillbilly Dude Says...
I've heard 'booger' used in place of 'monster' all my life. It's common around here. Pronunciation
[BOO-gur] /ˈbʊɡɚ/
Meaning & Usage
- A Difficult or Troublesome Thing
Mae:
That blouse is a booger to warsh.
That blouse is a booger to warsh.
Earl:
Yep, takes forever to get it clean.
Yep, takes forever to get it clean.- A Mischievous or Spirited Person
Hazel:
He’s a mean little booger when he’s tired.
He’s a mean little booger when he’s tired.
Ruby:
Better give him a snack.
Better give him a snack.★ "Booger" can also mean a ghost or scary figure ("the Booger Man"), but that sense is so strong it gets its own page. This entry focuses on the slang meaning for troublesome things or mischievous people. ★
Origin and Etymology
From the same root as "bogey" and "boogeyman" in British English. In the American South and Appalachia, "booger" split into two senses - one for the folklore "booger man" and one for everyday trouble or mischief.
Usage Notes
Still common in Southern/Appalachian speech. You’ll hear "a booger to fix/warsh" for something difficult or "a mean little booger" for a mischievous kid or critter. The folklore sense is covered on the Booger Man page.
- Booger (thing) - "That mower’s a booger to start."
- Booger (person) - "She’s a cute little booger."
- Booger Man - Ghost/boogeyman sense.
Say It Like a Southerner
Say it natural: "a booger to fix," "a booger to wash," "a mean little booger."