Yokel

A yokel is a term used pejoratively to describe a rural or provincial person, often perceived as unsophisticated, naive, or lacking in urban manners and customs. The term can imply a certain charm or simplicity as well, reflecting an honest, unrefined, and sometimes humorous demeanor inherent to country living.

Yokel meaning with examples

• While working in the bustling city, Sarah found herself calling her old neighbor a yokel, though she cherished his genuine kindness and straightforwardness. He may not have known the latest trends, but his warmth made her long for her rural roots.
• The tourist guide jokingly referred to himself as a yokel, amused by how city folks would marvel at the simplest country skills, such as milking cows. Truthfully, he took pride in his heritage and was happy to showcase traditional ways.
• In the debate, one candidate referred to his opponent as a yokel for his outdated opinions on technology, but many viewers saw it as a sign of humility and an appreciation for simpler living rather than an insult.
• During family gatherings, Uncle Joe would often be described as the family's local yokel, but he was loved for his quirky stories and unpretentious attitude that always made everyone laugh, regardless of their backgrounds.
• The novel's protagonist, a self-proclaimed yokel, charmed readers with his unrefined wisdom and heartfelt observations about life, demonstrating that sometimes simplicity holds deeper truths that the sophisticated overlook.