Skeeter
In Appalachian and Southern speech, a "skeeter" is a mosquito - the buzzing, biting insect that swarms in warm weather. It’s a plain-spoken shortening of the word.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
You'll hear 'skeeters' being used out in the country. Sometimes comes out 'm'skeeta' in town. Hillbilly Dude Says...
You'll hear 'skeeters' being used out in the country. Sometimes comes out 'm'skeeta' in town. Pronunciation
[SKEE-tur]
Meaning & Usage
- Mosquito (noun)
Mae:
Don’t forget the spray - them skeeters are thick tonight.
Don’t forget the spray - them skeeters are thick tonight.
Earl:
Ain’t nothing worse’n sittin’ out and gettin’ eat up.
Ain’t nothing worse’n sittin’ out and gettin’ eat up.variations: mosquito, m’skeeter (old-time speech), buzzard gnat (regional), bloodsucker (slang)
★ "Skeeter" is a word you’ll hear all across the South and Appalachia - often paired with "dope," meaning bug spray: "Grab the skeeter dope." ★
Origin and Etymology
"Skeeter" is a clipped form of "mosquito." The nickname has been used in the South and Appalachia for generations, especially in rural talk.
Usage Notes
Still widely used today in Appalachian and Southern families. "Skeeter" is also a common country nickname for kids.
Say It Like a Southerner
Said quick: "skeeter." The middle syllables of "mosquito" drop out.
Kin Topics
Related Pages
How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, August 28). Skeeter. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/skeeter
- MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "Skeeter." HillbillySlang.com, 28 Aug. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/skeeter.
- Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "Skeeter." HillbillySlang.com. August 28, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/skeeter.
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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...