Peckerwood ... Peckerwood is a US racial epithet used against white people, especially poor rural whites. [2]

peckerwood noun peck· er· wood ˈpe-kər-ˌwu̇d Southern US and Midland US, offensive used as an insulting and contemptuous term for a rural white Southerner

PECKERWOOD definition: woodpecker. See examples of peckerwood used in a sentence.

May 3, 2022 · The word "peckerwood" originated as an African American slang term for "woodpecker" in the 1800s, but by the early 1900s began to be applied as a racial epithet …

Factsheet What does the word peckerwood mean? There are three meanings listed in OED's entry for the word peckerwood. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation …

Nov 1, 2025 · Noun peckerwood (plural peckerwoods) (Southern US, Appalachia, slang) A woodpecker.

Definition of 'peckerwood' peckerwood in American English (ˈpɛkərˌwʊd ) US noun dialectal Origin: orig., dial. term for woodpecker

Used as a disparaging term for a poor white person. (southern US) A peckerwood sawmill. (US, offensive, slang) A white person, especially a Southerner, or one who is ignorant, rustic, or …

Peckerwood is a term that has been historically used as a derogatory slang expression, mainly in the southern United States. Initially, it targeted poor white people in rural areas but later …

"Peckerwood" is a multifaceted term that reflects deep cultural and social currents within American society. Its meaning is influenced by regional dialects, class distinctions, and racial …