Goozle 
In Appalachian and Southern speech, "goozle" means the throat or windpipe - especially the soft, vulnerable spot just above the chest. It’s a colorful old-time word still used in country talk and storytelling.
Goozle
Hillbilly Dude Says...
I've always called it 'goozle' or 'Adam's apple.' Was never sure which one was 'official.' Hillbilly Dude Says...
I've always called it 'goozle' or 'Adam's apple.' Was never sure which one was 'official.' Pronunciation
[GOO-zul] or [GUH-zul] depending on the speaker
Meaning & Usage
- The throat or windpipe (noun)
Mae:
He hollered when you poked him.
He hollered when you poked him.
Earl:
Yeah - caught him in the goozle.
Yeah - caught him in the goozle.variations: throat, gullet, Adam’s apple, windpipe
★ "Goozle" is a long-standing Southern/Appalachian word for the throat, especially the tender spot where a person can’t stand to be grabbed or hit. It’s vivid and instantly conjures a mental image. ★
Origin and Etymology
Chiefly found in the South and South Midland, this term has been recorded since the late 19th century in dialect stories and rural newspapers. It’s likely a playful alteration of "guzzle" or related to "gozzle" (an old dialect word for throat).
Usage Notes
Still heard today among older Southerners, in humorous scoldings, or as a vivid way to describe a blow to the neck. Outside the region it’s rare and often unknown.
Say It Like a Southerner
Say it quick and folksy: "goozle." It rhymes loosely with "nozzle."
Kin Topics
Related Pages
How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 20). Goozle. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/goozle
- MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "Goozle." HillbillySlang.com, 20 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/goozle.
- Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "Goozle." HillbillySlang.com. September 20, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/goozle.
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Created by a true, actual, proper, real-life hillbilly, HillbillySlang is a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia but reaching across the world. Every slang word, saying, accent and story is gathered from first-hand experience and trusted sources. The goal: preserve authentic voices and share them with writers, learners, and culture lovers everywhere - with a little humor thrown in here and there. Read more...