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."
Kin Topics
Related Pages
How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 5). June Bug. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/june-bug
- MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "June Bug." HillbillySlang.com, 5 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/june-bug.
- Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "June Bug." HillbillySlang.com. September 5, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/june-bug.
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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...