June Bug
In Appalachian and Southern speech, a "june bug" is a chunky brown beetle that shows up in summer - often swarming porch lights. It’s also used as a pet name for kids.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
We used to walk 'june bugs' around on 'leashes' as kids (just a long piece o'strang). They're a topic every summer - and not the best flyers. Hillbilly Dude Says...
We used to walk 'june bugs' around on 'leashes' as kids (just a long piece o'strang). They're a topic every summer - and not the best flyers. Pronunciation
[JOO-n bug]
Meaning & Usage
- A summer beetle (noun)
Mae:
Turn off that light - the junebugs are everywhere.
Turn off that light - the junebugs are everywhere.
Earl:
They bounce off the screen door like marbles.
They bounce off the screen door like marbles.- Pet name for a child (noun)
Mae:
Come here, Junebug, supper’s ready.
Come here, Junebug, supper’s ready.variations: June bug, May beetle, June beetle
★ Every Southern kid remembers chasing junebugs, sometimes tying a string to one and letting it buzz in circles. Don’t try that with city kids - they’ll think you’re crazy. ★
Origin and Etymology
The name comes from the month they appear most - June. The beetle belongs to the scarab family (*Phyllophaga*), native across Appalachia and the South.
Usage Notes
Common in Appalachian and Southern speech. As a nickname, "Junebug" carries an affectionate, country feel - especially for kids.
Say It Like a Southerner
Said plain and quick: "joo-n-bug." Sometimes softened to "june-bug."