Okie

¹

[ oh-kee ]

noun

, Slang: Usually Disparaging and Offensive.

1. a term used to refer to a migrant farm worker from Oklahoma or nearby states, especially one who moved westward during the Great Depression.
2. a term used to refer to a native or inhabitant of Oklahoma.

Okie

²

[ oh-kee ]

noun

1. a contemptuous term used to refer to a native of Okinawa.

adjective

1. belonging to the Okinawan people.

Okie

/ ˈəʊkɪ /

noun

1. an inhabitant of Oklahoma
2. an impoverished migrant farm worker, esp one who left Oklahoma during the Depression of the 1930s to work elsewhere in the US

Sensitive Note

In historical contexts, Okie is usually used with disparaging intent and perceived as insulting, implying that the migrant worker is poor, transient, ignorant, or uneducated. But as a general nickname for an Oklahoman, Okie is sometimes appropriated as a positive term of self-reference.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Okie¹

First recorded in 1915–20; Ok(lahoma) + -ie

Origin of Okie²

First recorded in 1935–40; Ok(inawa) + -ie

Example Sentences

When do you arrive in this favorite land of yours for you Okie junket?

From The Daily Beast

“Okie From Muskogee” made fun of hippies and extolled small-town virtues, but it did it with some tongue in cheek.

From The Daily Beast

"Listen, you guys," Okie pounded his fat finger into Sartan's chest.

From Project Gutenberg

Okie took the piece between his fingers, examined it and frowned.

From Project Gutenberg

Okie lit out from behind the bar and elbowed his way through the crowd.

From Project Gutenberg

Okie, the proprietor, was on duty readying the place for the night shift.

From Project Gutenberg

I suppose that is what the one called Okie wishes us to learn.

From Project Gutenberg