In Appalachian and Southern speech, hoodoo means to cheat, trick, or swindle someone on purpose. It describes being taken advantage of by somebody acting with bad intent.
You'll hear this one in the South. And there's a difference between somebody tryin’ to get more money out of you and actually tryin’ to hoodoo you.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
You'll hear this one in the South. And there's a difference between somebody tryin’ to get more money out of you and actually tryin’ to hoodoo you.
Pronunciation
[HOO-doo]
/ˈhuː.duː/
Meaning & Usage
- To cheat or deceive (verb)
Cheated at the market
Elmer:
I only paid eleven dollars for these peanut beans.
Estel:
Man, I b’lieve you got hoodoo’d.
variations: hoodoo’d, hoodooing, hoodooed
★ If someone says you got hoodoo’d, watch your billfold next time you’re dealin’. ★
Origin and Etymology
The word traces back to older Southern folk speech where "hoodoo" once referred broadly to trickery or deception. In Appalachian English, it lost its mystical sense and settled into meaning plain dishonesty - when somebody lies, cheats, or schemes against you.
Usage Notes
Still heard in Appalachian and rural Southern conversation, especially about money, trades, or dealings gone wrong. It always points to intent - a person who meant to cheat you, not just bad luck.
"He hoodoo’d me out of twenty bucks." - he deliberately cheated me.
"That’s a hoodoo deal." - a dishonest setup or scam.
"Don’t let him hoodoo you." - a warning against a slick talker.
Not in Appalachian use - here it strictly means to cheat or deceive someone.
Is it still used today?
Yes, especially among older speakers or in small-town talk about bad business or shady people.
Is "hoodoo’d" proper English?
It’s dialect, not formal English, but widely understood in the South and mountains.
What kind of situations use it?
Any time someone feels tricked or taken - a crooked trade, a rigged game, or a fast-talker’s deal.
How to Cite This Page
APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, November 9). Hoodoo. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/hoodoo/
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Hoodoo." HillbillySlang.com, 9 Nov. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/hoodoo/.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Hoodoo." HillbillySlang.com. November 9, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/hoodoo/.
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Created by a true, actual, proper, real-life hillbilly, HillbillySlang is a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia but reaching across the world. Every slang word, saying, accent and story is gathered from first-hand experience and trusted sources. The goal: preserve authentic voices and share them with writers, learners, and culture lovers everywhere - with a little humor thrown in here and there. Read more...
You'll hear this one in the South. And there's a difference between somebody tryin’ to get more money out of you and actually tryin’ to hoodoo you. 
