In Appalachian and Southern speech, "louse" can mean either a parasitic bug or, more often, a no-good person. It’s an old-fashioned insult that’s still alive in mountain talk.
★ If someone calls you "a louse," they don’t mean you’ve got bugs - they mean you’re a low-down, sorry excuse for a person. ★
Origin and Etymology
From Old English "lūs" (insect). By the 1600s, English speakers were already using "louse" as an insult for a worthless person. That sense carried into Appalachian speech, where it stuck as a common put-down.
Usage Notes
In Appalachia, "louse" is still used by older generations as a sharp but mild insult. It’s about on par with "rascal" or "sorry joker," stronger than "mess" but lighter than a curse word.
Say It Like a Southerner
"Louse" comes out sharp and quick, same as "mouse" with an "l." Plural is "lice" - but as an insult, it’s usually singular: "a louse."
Yes - whether it’s the bug or the insult, it’s never a compliment.
Do people still use "louse" today?
Less in mainstream English, but in Appalachia you’ll still hear older folks say it.
What’s the plural of "louse"?
"Lice" for bugs - but when it’s an insult, it’s almost always singular.
Is "louse" the same as "lice"?
Not quite. "Louse" is one bug, "lice" is more than one. As an insult, "louse" is always one person.
How to Cite This Page
APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 19). Louse. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/louse
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Louse." HillbillySlang.com, 19 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/louse.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Louse." HillbillySlang.com. September 19, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/louse.
Most Popular
Latest Accents
Latest Sayings
Latest Slang
Latest Southernish
About
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've got to do something pretty bad to deserve it, but you still might get called a 'louse.' 
