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. 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.other spellings: mosquito, m’skeeter (old-time speech), buzzard gnat (regional), and 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
"Skeeter" is a clipped form of "mosquito." The nickname has been used in the South and Appalachia for generations, especially in rural talk.
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.