November 29, 2011
By Doug Howlett
Since first appearing in 1893 as a derogatory term to describe less educated, rural, lower-class Southern whites, the word "redneck" continues to serve as a slanderous putdown by some, and worn as a badge of country pride and honor by others. From Jeff Foxworthy's famed "You might be a redneck" lines to Charlie Daniels singing about the world needing "a few more rednecks," the prideful declaration that one is a redneck has expanded far beyond the South to describe folks of rural nature and proclivities across all of America.
But still, whether you consider yourself a redneck, hillbilly, good ole' boy, country girl or whatnot, there remains a number of terms used -- particularly in conjunction with hunting or while in camp -- that, well, probably quite simply just should not be. But then, who better than the hunters of America to make that decision? Here then are 13 hunting slang terms that we think are best left at the gate to the trailer park when you head for the woods.
\"Asti\"
Example: 'Man, it's hotter en seven hails out there. Think I'll have a col' glass of dat sweet asti. '
Not a refined, urbane alternative to the drinking of champagne as in 'asti spumante, ' but rather the regional drink of the South made from brewed tea leaves, served over ice and available in every household, diner and hunt camp from Virginia to Texas. Oh, and if you buy it anywhere from Virginia to Texas, you can bet its default preparation will include half a bag of sugar. Go in the wrong place and ask for asti and you're going to get carded.
\"Blowed Up\"
Example: 'Man, that longbeard come in there to Mike's decoy all blowed up. He looked just like one of dem turkeys at Thanksgivin' time. '
Term to describe the condition of a wild turkey gobbler in full strut.
\"Co-Cola\"
Example: 'Hey Neal, pass me a Co-Cola to chase down dis Jim Beam. '
In the South, virtually every soft drink except Mountain Dew or Sun Drop is called a Coke or, by some throwback redneck purists, a 'Co-Cola. ' Also, not to be confused with the once popular R-uh-C (R.C. as it was trademarked) cola, which for some reason served as the perfect accompaniment to Moon Pies -- the latter still available at Cracker Barrel.
\"Dandy\"
Example: 'Oh boy, dat's a real dandy buck dere ay. '
The South doesn't hold the monopoly on odd terms and phrases, and one that grates on virtually everyone NOT from the far upper Midwest -- where it is apparently a fairly common phrase -- is the word 'dandy ' to describe a deer someone has shot or anything else of particular value for that matter. In some circles, a 'dandy ' is a guy who really tries hard to be fashionable and elegant at the expense of his manhood, a.k.a. 'metrosexual. ' If you're in hunt camp, you really don't want to be around either one, and you darn sure don't want a buck that way!
\"Doggin'\"
Example: "Can you believe they don't let them hunters up north go deer doggin'? That don't make no sense."
Sounds like a term used to describe someone following closely behind someone or, depending on the audience, even a slang sexual term, but across pockets of the South where the longtime tradition of hunting whitetails with hounds still prevails, 'deer doggin' ' for many hunters remains a way of life. Can also be used to describe bear or hog hunters who use hounds as well.
\"Fixin'\"
Example: 'I'm fixin' to put another strap on that ladder stand so it doesn't move so much, ' or, 'I'm fixin' to put the smackdown on that buck that's been comin' to that food plot every evenin'. '
A transitive verb used by many rednecks to announce that they're getting ready to perform some activity, yet have not begun the process of actually doing it. It is sort of like saying you are 'getting ready to get ready. '
You can bet, when the word 'fixin' ' is used, nothing is actually being fixed.
\"Gun awl\"
Example: 'Hey Clem, pass me some a dat gun awl. Dey's some sticks and mud in my barrel I needs to clean out. '
A clear, viscous liquid used to lubricate a rifle or shotgun so that it continues to perform as designed when the user pulls the trigger. Not to be confused with an actual 'awl, ' which if used on a firearm would scratch the mess out of it.
\"Hail\"
Example: 'Oh, hail yeah, that is one nice buck, ' or, 'We shot the hail out of them ducks as they dropped into the decoys. '
The place where Satan rules and the soul of Gen. Sherman burns in perpetuity. Used as a frequent exclamation in almost any conversation.
\"Hawg\"
Example: 'That longbeard was a real hawg, ' or, "Did you see that buck? What a hawg. '
Term used to describe a member of any species that is exceptionally large and trophy-worthy to a hunter.
\"Honey hole\"
Example: I'm fixin' to head down to that there honey hole I got down by the creek. I done seen four bucks there last week."
A sweet, secret spot that a hunter is keeping all to himself because it produces quality or numerous game; also a vulgar term describing the holy grail of a female that ALL heterosexual men seek. Not clear? Jump into a time machine and travel back to the 1980s to listen to Sheena Easton's song 'Sugar Walls, ' or just check it out on iTunes.
\"Shinin'\"
Example: 'My cousin can't hunt for the next three years cuz he got caught shinin' down on the dirt road. '
Not something you do to your shoes or boots. An illegal activity performed by poachers that involves the use of shining a spotlight across a field and shooting deer.
\"Skeeter\"
Example: "Boy I tell you what, these doggone skeeters are eatin' me alive out here."
Shortened term for the large, buzzing, blood sucking insects that ruin an otherwise good hunt in warmer weather. Also a common name among males in some pockets of the South. Skeeter, Tater, Bubba, etc., all should be banned as names. No offense to those folks proudly wearing the monikers as we speak, but I'm assuming you didn't exactly get to choose your nickname. At least I'm hoping not.
\"Whistlin' Bill\"
Example: 'I didn't even realize I'd wandered off the property til that farmer fired a Whistlin' Bill over my head to scare me off. '
Another name for a shotgun slug, a.k.a. a 'punkin' ball. ' With today's high-tech slug ammo, it's probably inaccurate to refer to either in their old poor flight, big smack performance terms.
