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hayseed

/ˌheɪˈsid/
IPA guide

Other forms: hayseeds

A hayseed is an unintelligent country person, or a hick. You might be tempted to call your farmer cousin a hayseed, but your cousin would probably be upset.

The derogatory term hayseed is aimed at rural folks who aren't particularly urbane or savvy — it's a stereotype of someone who's comfortable in the country being awkward, bumbling, and unsophisticated, especially when visiting a city. This U.S. slang comes from the common 19th century saying that country people "have hayseed in their hair."

Definitions of hayseed
  1. noun
    a person who is not very intelligent or interested in culture
    see moresee less
    type of:
    rustic
    an unsophisticated country person
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