hillbilly
/ˈhɪlbɪli
/noun (plural hillbillies) North American
1 informal, chiefly derogatory An unsophisticated country person, as associated originally with the remote regions of the Appalachians.When we want to go to Appalachia and take photos of the hillbillies, we don't hire Hollywood actors, because that just wouldn't cut it....
- In fact, hillbillies themselves were the first to capitalize commercially on the hillbilly mystique.
- It's inspired by old blues, Nashville psycho hillbillies and hazy memories.
2 old-fashioned term for country music. [as modifier]: he played sweet hillbilly guitar...
- In the winter of 1940, a twenty-seven-year-old hillbilly singer named Woody Guthrie headed east to New York City.
- Now and again, his voice lifts like a hillbilly choir or a candlelit revival presided over by David Crosby.
- This time around, the focus is on gospel-based material rather than bluegrass and hillbilly music.
Origin
Early 20th century: from hill + Billy (pet form of the given name William).