Poor Joe

noun

, Coastal Georgia, South Carolina, and the Bahamas.

1. a heron.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Poor Joe¹

1730–40, Americanism; probably < a West African source; compare Vai (Mande language of Liberia and Sierra Leone) podžo heron

Example Sentences

A miserable little white crane called "Poor Joe" is common, and has the same habit.

From Project Gutenberg

He feels that he is the "Poor Joe" of the Army—under perpetual orders to "move on."

From Project Gutenberg