In Southern and Appalachian speech, a "wasper" is a wasp. The extra "-er" ending is a common dialect feature in the region, found in words like "feller" (fellow) and "widder" (widow).
I've only heard my Dad say 'wasper,' nothin' else. It's a common one down here.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
I've only heard my Dad say 'wasper,' nothin' else. It's a common one down here.
Pronunciation
[WAH-spur] /ˈwɑːspɚ/
Meaning & Usage
- Wasp (noun)
Everyday use
Elmer:
Careful with that woodpile - I seen a wasper fly out of it.
variations: wasp
Origin and Etymology
From the standard English word wasp. The form wasper developed in Southern and Appalachian dialects, following a regional pattern of adding an "-er" ending to certain words.
Usage Notes
Wasper is still commonly heard in rural parts of the South and Appalachia.
Yes - while not standard English, it’s a well-attested dialect form.
Do people still say "wasper"?
Yes, especially in rural areas of the South and Appalachia, often passed down in families.
How to Cite This Page
APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, October 2). Wasper. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/wasper
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Wasper." HillbillySlang.com, 2 Oct. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/wasper.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Wasper." HillbillySlang.com. October 2, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/wasper.
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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...
I've only heard my Dad say 'wasper,' nothin' else. It's a common one down here.