In Appalachian and Southern speech, "jasper" is an old-fashioned word for a man, fellow, or stranger - often with a hint of humor or mild dismissal, like saying "some guy."
I'm pretty sure 'jasper' is regional and mainly old timers. You don't hear this one much nowadays (and I don't remember ever hearin' it).
Pronunciation
[JAS-per]
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- A man or fellow, often unknown or a stranger (dialect noun)
Talking about an unexpected visitor
Mae:
Who was that at the gate?
Earl:
Just some jasper lookin’ for the highway.
other spellings: fellow, man, stranger, and guy
★ "Jasper" as a noun for "man" or "stranger" is authentically Southern/Appalachian and dates back to the 1800s. It signals a rustic or humorous tone, not just a personal name. ★
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