keister
LowInformal, slang
Definition
Meaning
A slang term for the buttocks or backside.
Can refer to a suitcase, satchel, or trunk (archaic). Also used as slang for a safe or a person's private storage place (e.g., for stolen goods). In criminal slang, can refer to the anus, especially in the context of smuggling contraband.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primary meaning is humorous/informal slang for buttocks. The 'container' meanings are now largely archaic or confined to specific subcultures (e.g., prison slang).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is of American origin (likely from German 'Kiste' meaning 'box'). It is understood but rarely used in British English, where alternatives like 'bum' or 'arse' are far more common.
Connotations
In AmE, it carries a folksy, slightly old-fashioned or humorous tone. It is not considered highly vulgar. In BrE, it is perceived as an Americanism and may sound quaint or unfamiliar.
Frequency
Very low frequency in BrE; low but recognizable in AmE, primarily in older generations or comedic contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + verb + [Possessive] + keister (e.g., He fell on his keister.)[Subject] + get/keep + [Possessive] + keister + [Adverbial] (e.g., Get your keister over here!)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Get your keister in gear! (Hurry up!)”
- “Kick in the keister (a setback or reprimand)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Not used.
Everyday
Used very informally for humor or mild emphasis among friends/family.
Technical
Not used in technical contexts; anatomical or formal terms are required.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Not used as a verb.
American English
- Not typically used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Not used as an adverb.
American English
- Not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- Not used as an adjective.
American English
- Not used as an adjective.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Ouch, I just fell right on my keister!
- He told the lazy intern to get his keister back to work.
- The comedian joked about getting a kick in the keister from his boss.
- The smuggler had attempted to conceal the narcotics in his keister.
- The archaic meaning of 'keister' as a small trunk or valise appears in early 20th-century literature.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'KEY STORE' – a place you keep things. Your 'keister' is a place you sit on (store your weight).
Conceptual Metaphor
THE BODY AS A CONTAINER (for the archaic 'suitcase' meaning). THE BUTTOCKS AS A BASE/SUPPORT.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with "кистер" (kister) – a church official in Orthodoxy.
- It is a slang term, not a polite anatomical word like "ягодицы" (yagoditsy). The closest common slang equivalents in tone are "задница" (zadnitsa) or "попа" (popa).
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'keester' or 'kiester'.
- Using it in formal writing or speech.
- Assuming it is widely understood outside North America.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'keister' be LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is not considered highly vulgar like some synonyms. It is informal, humorous, and slightly old-fashioned, but not offensive in most casual American contexts.
Yes, but these meanings are now rare. It can historically refer to a suitcase, satchel, or a safe. In prison/criminal slang, it can refer to the rectum as a hiding place.
Extremely rarely. It is perceived as an American slang term. British speakers would typically use 'bum', 'backside', or 'arse' instead.
It likely entered American English in the late 19th/early 20th century from German via Yiddish, from the German word 'Kiste' meaning 'box' or 'chest', which aligns with its older 'suitcase' meaning.