Scrooch

In Southern and Midland U.S. dialect speech, "scrooch" means to crouch, squeeze, or huddle - often used with "down," "in," or "over" (e.g. "scrooch down," "scrooch in").

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synonyms: crouch, huddle, squeeze, edge over

Hillbilly Dude Says...

Growin' up, we always said (and still say) 'scoot', but 'scrooch' is very similar. I would say it's a little more regional.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

Growin' up, we always said (and still say) 'scoot', but 'scrooch' is very similar. I would say it's a little more regional.

Pronunciation

[SKROOCH]
/skruːtʃ/

Meaning & Usage

- To crouch, huddle, or squeeze together (intransitive verb)

Mae:

Scrooch over so I can sit beside you.

variations: scrooch in, scrooch down, scrooch up

Origin and Etymology

"Scrooch" is a dialectal American verb, especially in Southern and Midland English, and probably a variant of *scrouge* (to squeeze or crowd), with influence from *crouch*. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4} It’s been used in U.S. colloquial speech for "crouch" or "huddle" for well over a century. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

Usage Notes

Common in informal, local speech.

Often pairs with direction words: "scrooch down," "scrooch in," "scrooch over."
Used when folks are pressed together: in small seats, in a crowd, in a car.
Feels intimate or cozy - making room or bending low rather than standing tall.

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Is "scrooch" just "scooch"?

No - though they get mixed sometimes, "scooch" more often means "move over a little," while "scrooch" carries more of a crouch / squeeze / huddle meaning.

Is "scrooch" Southern?

Yes - it’s most common in Southern and Midland U.S. dialect speech.

Is it still used today?

Yes - mostly in rural or dialectal contexts; in general speech it might sound rural or old-fashioned.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, October 16). Scrooch. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/scrooch
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Scrooch." HillbillySlang.com, 16 Oct. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/scrooch.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Scrooch." HillbillySlang.com. October 16, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/scrooch.