CultureJuly 15, 2026
yokel
/ˈjoʊkəl/
Definition
A disparaging term for a person perceived as unsophisticated, uneducated, or provincial, often associated with rural life.
Etymology
The word likely emerged in the early 19th century as an English dialect term, possibly derived from the dialect word 'yoke' or as a diminutive form of names like 'Jack' or 'Jokel'.
In the news
The liberal elite in the 1980s mistakenly dismissed conservative figures as mere yokels, leading them to underestimate the political effectiveness and strategic sophistication of their opponents.
‘People are picking the dumbest fights’: the tortured history of America’s culture wars
Read the full article ↗The Guardian