goozle

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "goozle" means the throat or windpipe - especially the soft, vulnerable spot just above the chest. It’s a colorful old-time word still used in country talk and storytelling.

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Hillbilly Dude Says...

I've always called it 'goozle' or 'Adam's apple.' Was never sure which one was 'official.'

Pronunciation

[GOO-zul] or [GUH-zul] depending on the speaker

Meaning & Usage

- The throat or windpipe (noun)

Mae:

He hollered when you poked him.

Earl:

Yeah - caught him in the goozle.

variations: throat, gullet, Adam’s apple, windpipe

★ "Goozle" is a long-standing Southern/Appalachian word for the throat, especially the tender spot where a person can’t stand to be grabbed or hit. It’s vivid and instantly conjures a mental image. ★

Origin

Documented in the Dictionary of American Regional English as chiefly South and South Midland. Recorded since the late 19th century in dialect stories and rural newspapers. Likely a playful alteration of "guzzle" or related to "gozzle" (old dialect for throat).

Notes

Still heard today among older Southerners, in humorous scoldings, or as a vivid way to describe a blow to the neck. Outside the region it’s rare and often unknown.

Say It Like a Southerner

Play audio Say it quick and folksy: "goozle." It rhymes loosely with "nozzle."

Kin Topics

Kin Words, Stories and More

Common Questions

Does "goozle" only mean the throat?

Yes - it’s a folksy term for the throat, gullet, or windpipe.

Do people still say it today?

Yes - mostly in Southern/Appalachian storytelling, though younger speakers may not know it.

Is "goozle" a slur?

No - it’s a harmless dialect word, just colorful and old-fashioned.