Gook vs Nook - What's the difference?
gook | nook |
(slang, vulgar, pejorative, offensive, ethnic slur) A person from the Far East, Oceania or Southeast Asia, in particular a Vietnamese, Filipino, Chinese, Korean person.
(informal) Grime or mud.
* {{quote-book, 1983, Len O'Connor, A Reporter in Sweet Chicago, isbn=0809276488
, passage="Roost No More" was a yellow gook that Joe's people would spread around, for a fee, on the ledges of houses and commercial buildings plagued by pigeons.}}
A small corner formed by two walls; an alcove or recess or ancone.
A hidden or secluded spot.
As nouns the difference between gook and nook
is that gook is a person from the Far East, Oceania or Southeast Asia, in particular a Vietnamese, Filipino, Chinese, Korean person while nook is a small corner formed by two walls; an alcove or recess or ancone.gook
English
Etymology 1
Use traced to U.S. Marines in Philippines in early 20th century.Dictionary.com]Pearson, Kim, "[http://kpearson.faculty.tcnj.edu/Dictionary/gook.htm Gook". Earliest recorded example is dated 1920.Seligman, Herbert J., "
The Conquest of Haiti", The Nation, July 10, 1920. * Folk etymology suggests that during the Korean War, young Korean children would point at U.S. soldiers and shout ", guk) itself simply means "country". This explanation ignores the fact that there are many examples of the word's use that pre-date the Korean War.
Noun
(en noun)Usage notes
* In the US, gook refers particularly to a Vietnamese person in the context of the Vietnam War, and particularly to the Viet Cong. It is generally considered highly offensive, on a par with nigger.Etymology 2
Possible blend of goop and gunk.Noun
(en noun)citation
Derived terms
* gooky * gook upSee also
* gook wagonnook
English
Noun
(en noun)- There was a small broom for sweeping ash kept in the nook between the fireplace bricks and the wall.
- The back of the used book shop was one of her favorite nooks ; she could read for hours and no one would bother her or pester her to buy.
