Page 1 of 3
Is "Hoss" Still a Term of Endearment in the Deep South?
Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2017 4:37 pm
by ck3
I haven't crossed the Mason-Dixon line for the better part of 16 years. It's usage seemed infrequent back in the day, but I recall "hoss" being the equivalent of "bro" in various social situations. Is this exclusively Hank Williams, Jr lyrics nowadays, or still part of the vernacular?
Re: Is "Hoss" Still a Term of Endearment in the Deep South?
Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2017 4:58 pm
by echorec
I imagine it is still used in dinky Southern towns as an informal greeting amongst men in their mid-40s and up. But it's not exactly interchangeable with bro, as it generally is used to warmly address an overweight friend. "Hey Hoss (shakes hand), how you been?" If you heard hoss outside of a Tractor Supply, it'd most likely be used on TV during a football broadcast. (ex: the hosses upfront...)
Re: Is "Hoss" Still a Term of Endearment in the Deep South?
Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2017 5:04 pm
by Bloodhammer
No, we say "comrade" now. LOL
Re: Is "Hoss" Still a Term of Endearment in the Deep South?
Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2017 5:10 pm
by Lurker13
Bloodhammer wrote:No, we say "comrade" now. LOL
"Bubba" wasn't uncommon in Florida when I was growing up down there. It's Southernese for "brother". I don't recall every hearing anyone call someone else Hoss.
Re: Is "Hoss" Still a Term of Endearment in the Deep South?
Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2017 5:18 pm
by BetterOffShred
I lived in Tennessee for a bit, and I heard "Hoss" fairly frequently, but as echorec pointed out it will mostly be in Tractor supply garages and animal feed stores. I call my buddies Hoss sometimes just because.. I also like "Slick" and "Turbo" depending on the scenario..
-Brett
Re: Is "Hoss" Still a Term of Endearment in the Deep South?
Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2017 5:24 pm
by Lurker13
BetterOffShred wrote:I lived in Tennessee for a bit, and I heard "Hoss" fairly frequently, but as echorec pointed out it will mostly be in Tractor supply garages and animal feed stores. I call my buddies Hoss sometimes just because.. I also like "Slick" and "Turbo" depending on the scenario..
-Brett
That'll be our new band's name - Slick Turbo-Hoss
Or maybe just Turbo-Hoss.
Re: Is "Hoss" Still a Term of Endearment in the Deep South?
Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2017 5:25 pm
by Lurker13
Bloodhammer wrote:No, we say "comrade" now. LOL
Hey...another band name - Comrade Turbo-Hoss
Re: Is "Hoss" Still a Term of Endearment in the Deep South?
Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2017 5:47 pm
by JonnyAngle
Bloodhammer wrote:No, we say "comrade" now. LOL
Actually, I think it's "haus" now
Re: Is "Hoss" Still a Term of Endearment in the Deep South?
Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2017 5:51 pm
by frodog
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ver6_JF94ow[/youtube]
Re: Is "Hoss" Still a Term of Endearment in the Deep South?
Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2017 6:46 pm
by popvulture
JonnyAngle wrote:Bloodhammer wrote:No, we say "comrade" now. LOL
Actually, I think it's "haus" now
I was called hoss recently... definitely was a bit of jokiness involved though.
But yeah, in my experience it's kinda neither here nor there. Like calling someone "slugger" or something.

Re: Is "Hoss" Still a Term of Endearment in the Deep South?
Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2017 6:53 pm
by Chankgeez
Re: Is "Hoss" Still a Term of Endearment in the Deep South?
Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2017 6:54 pm
by Bloodhammer
JonnyAngle wrote:Bloodhammer wrote:No, we say "comrade" now. LOL
Actually, I think it's "haus" now
When your mother sits around the house, she really oh nevermind
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqV-kHTPFzM[/youtube]
Re: Is "Hoss" Still a Term of Endearment in the Deep South?
Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2017 7:07 pm
by ck3
Thanks to all for the cultural update. I also recall it being used as a descriptive term, e.g., "That belt buckle is HOSS, brau.” This was on a college campus almost 20 years ago.
Re: Is "Hoss" Still a Term of Endearment in the Deep South?
Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2017 7:53 pm
by echorec
ck3 wrote:Thanks to all for the cultural update. I also recall it being used as a descriptive term, e.g., "That belt buckle is HOSS, brau.” This was on a college campus almost 20 years ago.
I've never heard hoss used as an adjective before, but it could just be a simple misunderstanding. Ex: The person overheard someone call something
boss and later regurgitated it as
hoss.
Many people in the South (though not necessarily the majority) say
Chester drawers, because they don't understand it's
chest of drawers (just an antiquated term that's been passed down). I imagine this doesn't get used often outside of the South, because it's just easier to say
dresser.
Re: Is "Hoss" Still a Term of Endearment in the Deep South?
Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2017 8:23 pm
by popvulture
Haha I'd say I use hoss as an adjective way more than a nickname.