Squoosh

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "squoosh" means to squash, squeeze, or mash something. It’s an expressive everyday verb - not just playful, but the normal word many folks use instead of "squish" or "squash."

#SouthernWords #Appalachia #Southern

synonyms: squash, squish, mash, moosh

Hillbilly Dude Says...

We use 'squoosh' exclusively around here. I didn't realize there was another option until I was a grown up.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

We use 'squoosh' exclusively around here. I didn't realize there was another option until I was a grown up.

Pronunciation

[SKWOOSH]

Meaning & Usage

- To squash or crush something soft (verb)

Mae:

Where’s my tomato?

Earl:

Sorry - I squooshed it when I sat down.

- The state of being squashed (noun, informal)

Mae:

What’s all over the seat?

Earl:

Just a little grape squoosh.

★ "Squoosh" is a natural extension of "squash" and "squish." In Appalachian and Southern speech it’s not necessarily playful - it’s just the normal word for mashing or squeezing something soft. ★

Origin and Etymology

Recorded in American English since the late 19th century as a blend of "squash" and "squish." Especially common in the South and South Midland, where it became an everyday verb.

Usage Notes

Still common today in rural Southern and Appalachian speech, especially around kitchens, farms, or any setting where soft things get mashed. Recognizable elsewhere but less common outside the region.

Say It Like a Southerner

Say it firm and plain: "squoosh." Rhymes with "whoosh" but starts with "skw."

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Is "squoosh" slang or a mistake?

No - it’s authentic dialect, a long-standing variant of "squash/squish."

Do people still say it today?

Yes - especially in the South and Appalachia, where it’s the normal word in everyday talk.

Is it playful?

It can sound playful to outsiders, but many Southerners use it straight as their ordinary verb for "squash."

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 20). Squoosh. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/squoosh
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Squoosh." HillbillySlang.com, 20 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/squoosh.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Squoosh." HillbillySlang.com. September 20, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/squoosh.