New Yorkers Ponder the Meaning of “Pookie”

What are New Yorkers curious about today? I’m going to bet that if I gave you ten guesses “What is Pookie?” would not have been one of your answers and yet, here we are.

Believe it or not, the number two most searched-for question on Google right now is “What is Pookie?” Since so many people seem to be confused by the term, I thought I’d explain where it came from and what it means.

Old trends have a funny way of becoming new again and right now, Pookie is the second most searched term on Google. For those not old enough to remember hearing their parents or grandparents use the term or for those who weren’t into the 80s drug scene, there’s a lot of confusion about what the term actually means.

Just like honey, sweetheart, and darling, “Pookie” is an adorable nickname and the reason it’s become a popular term again is thanks in large part to TikTok. Campbell and Jett Puckett, exude southern charm, and their affectionate use of the term, has brought "Pookie" back into the mainstream.

@campbellhuntpuckett When I don’t know what to wear, I always go with all black🖤 #datenight #couple #outfits #hermes ♬ original sound - Campbell Puckett

The term “Pookie” has been around, according to Mashable, since the 1930s and is believed to have originated in the South. The term was used in both Black communities and non-Black communities and eventually found its way in use across the United States.

The term is most often associated with something adorable or precious, however, there was a time when it was used in a less flattering way. During the 1980s, for instance, when the crack epidemic was raging, the term pookie was used to describe both a crack pipe and someone who smoked crack.

Somewhere along the line, the term Pookie morphed from a term of endearment to describing a crack pipe and crack smoker to become associated with cute, cuddly toys, like stuffies. If you think about it, people can be cute and cuddly, too.

Get our free mobile app

So, if you ever find yourself unexpectedly called "Pookie" by a stranger in New York, remember that they’re not calling you a crack user, that trend faded out a lifetime ago, but instead, they’re referring to you with an affectionate way and you should be flattered.