Hoosier

Etymology

Uncertain. See Wikipedia's article on the subject for theories.

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈhuʒɚ/

Noun

Hoosier (plural Hoosiers)

1. A native or resident of the U.S. state of Indiana.
2. Someone associated with Indiana University, for example as a student, alum, or sports team member, or as a fan. This is also the university's sports mascot.
3. (slang, Missouri) An uneducated, tasteless Caucasian person.
   • 2014, Emily Giffin, The Emily Giffin Collection: Volume 2: Baby Proof, →ISBN:

     "The mall? Belinda, mall pickups are for hoosiers," I say, St. Louis slang for white trash. "With femullets." [...] "But Jake's no hoosier."

   • 2015, Pate McMichael, Klandestine: How a Klan Lawyer and a Checkbook Journalist ..., page 2:

     Taken as a whole, the article portrayed Ray as an indigent, racist “Hoosier” (St. Louis slang for redneck) with an inept, habitual tendency to commit petty crimes.

4. (US, historical) A kind of cupboard or dresser with shelves, drawers, etc.; a kitchenet.

Adjective

Hoosier (not comparable)

1. Characteristic of or pertaining to the American state of Indiana.
   • 1947, John Bartlow Martin, Indiana: An Interpretation, page xi:

     Less well known but perhaps even more interesting than Stephenson is Court Asher, the second "gentleman" from Indiana. Asher is a more convincing bigot than Stephenson, one more homegrown and more Hoosier than the puffed-up grand dragon, […]

   • 2009, Alden Studebaker, Hoosieritis: The Contagious Condition That Is Indiana, page 51:

     That's not very Hoosier, is it?

   • 2009, Alexander Lawrence, Blest Be the Tie, book 1:

     “Somehow the tradition doesn't seem very Hoosier.”