Is "Hoss" Still a Term of Endearment in the Deep South?

[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?

[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...)

[Bloodhammer]

No, we say "comrade" now. LOL

[Lurker13]

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.

[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

[Lurker13]

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.

[Lurker13]

No, we say "comrade" now. LOL

Hey...another band name - Comrade Turbo-Hoss

[JonnyAngle]

No, we say "comrade" now. LOL

Actually, I think it's "haus" now

[frodog]

[popvulture]

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.

[Chankgeez]

[Bloodhammer]

No, we say "comrade" now. LOL

Actually, I think it's "haus" now

When your mother sits around the house, she really oh nevermind

[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.

[echorec]

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.

[popvulture]

Haha I'd say I use hoss as an adjective way more than a nickname.