Herkimer Jerkimer

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Meaning · English

A yokel; a country bumpkin.

Register: dated, derogatory, slang

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

Herkimer Jerkimer, a fool, a rustic, is a "jerk from Herkimer," an impossibly remote place. This jerk was, presumably, from his upstate hometown of Herkimer, New York, ZIP code 13350.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “Herkimer Jerkimer” mean?

A yokel; a country bumpkin.

Is “Herkimer Jerkimer” formal or informal?

Herkimer Jerkimer is generally dated, derogatory, slang.