clodhopper: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, mildly derogatory/ humorous
Quick answer
What does “clodhopper” mean?
A large, heavy, clumsy boot, typically worn by a country person or manual labourer.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large, heavy, clumsy boot, typically worn by a country person or manual labourer.
A clumsy, awkward, or unsophisticated person, especially one from a rural background.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Understood in both varieties, but likely more prevalent in British English historically. The agricultural/rural connotation is shared.
Connotations
Both carry connotations of rusticity, clumsiness, and lack of polish. It is considered old-fashioned in both.
Frequency
Rare in contemporary spoken language; mostly found in historical texts, period dramas, or used for deliberate humorous effect.
Grammar
How to Use “clodhopper” in a Sentence
He was a clodhopper.He wore a pair of clodhoppers.Don't be such a clodhopper!Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “clodhopper” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The noun is used; a verb form is not standard.
American English
- The noun is used; a verb form is not standard.
adverb
British English
- The noun is used; an adverbial form is not standard.
American English
- The noun is used; an adverbial form is not standard.
adjective
British English
- The noun is used; an adjectival form 'clodhopperish' is occasionally seen in humorous writing (e.g., 'his clodhopperish manners').
American English
- The noun is used; an adjectival form 'clodhopperish' is occasionally seen in humorous writing (e.g., 'a clodhopperish gait').
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Rare; might appear in historical or literary analysis.
Everyday
Very rare; would be used jokingly or affectionately.
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “clodhopper”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “clodhopper”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “clodhopper”
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'He clodhoppered across the room').
- Using it in formal contexts.
- Misunderstanding it as a synonym for 'hiker' or 'athlete'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be mildly derogatory, but it is often used humorously or affectionately, especially today when it sounds old-fashioned. Context is key.
No, its meanings are restricted to 1) large, heavy boots and 2) a clumsy, rustic person. It is not used for objects or animals.
It is very rare in spoken English. You might encounter it in books, films set in the past, or as a deliberate, playful insult among friends.
They are close synonyms. 'Clodhopper' often emphasizes physical clumsiness and is linked directly to footwear, while 'bumpkin' focuses more on naivety and lack of worldliness. Both imply a rural background.
A large, heavy, clumsy boot, typically worn by a country person or manual labourer.
Clodhopper is usually informal, mildly derogatory/ humorous in register.
Clodhopper: in British English it is pronounced /ˈklɒdˌhɒp.ə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈklɑːdˌhɑː.pɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Clumsy as a clodhopper in a china shop.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a clumsy farmer (a CLOD of earth) who HOPs awkwardly in his huge boots. Clod + hopper = Clodhopper.
Conceptual Metaphor
PHYSICAL CLUMSINESS IS SOCIAL AWKWARDNESS; RURAL IS UNSOPHISTICATED.
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common modern use of 'clodhopper'?