cracker-barrel

American  

[krak-er-bar-uhl] / ˈkræk ərˌbær əl /

adjective

1. of or suggesting the simple rustic informality and directness thought to be characteristic of life in and around a country store.

   homespun, cracker-barrel philosophy.

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cracker-barrel British  

adjective

1. rural; rustic; homespun

   a cracker-barrel philosopher

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Etymology

Origin of cracker-barrel

1875–80, adj. use of cracker barrel, around which rural people supposedly converse in old-style country stores

Example Sentences

No media coverage of a political campaign would be complete without the small-town diner story featuring salt-of-the-earth folks in John Deere hats descanting their cracker-barrel wisdom about the state of the world.

From Salon • May 20, 2023

Jane Kaczmarek brings her wholesome, cracker-barrel charm to the role of the Stage Manager.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 3, 2017

But where “Laugh-In” put an anti-establishment spin on its jokes, “Hee Haw” had a proudly cracker-barrel sense of humor — and a lineup of musical guests that included some of the biggest names in Nashville.

From New York Times • Nov. 13, 2012

Now Schulberg wanted to denounce the power of television talkers; it’s said that his model was that cracker-barrel sage of radio and early TV, Arthur Godfrey.

From Time • Jul. 3, 2012

“Sure, Red, glad to oblige. Hear you been blowin’ off at the mouth at some of the cracker-barrel heroes agin.”

From "Across Five Aprils" by Irene Hunt