Hoser

As I mentioned in a recent episode of RadioZoom, I’ve recently discovered the origin of the world “hoser”. Now, that’s not to say that I’ve never heard the word before, nor have I misunderstood its implication. I don’t know how or why, but it’s been apart of my vocabulary since I was fifteen. I can also say with absolute truth that I have never seen Strange Brew[imdb] in its entirety. Maybe most of it, but not all at once or in chronological order. Weird, eh?

Truth be told, it was because of this post by Alanah on Canucks and Beyond that it came to light. Of course, the Wikipedia entry on it also sheds some insight.

Hoser is both a slang term and a stereotype, originating from and used primarily in Canada.

Like the very similar term hosehead, it originally referred to farmers of the Canadian prairies, who would siphon gas from farming vehicles with a hose during the Great Depression of the 1930s. The expression has since been converted to the verb ‘to hose’ as in to trick, deceive, or steal – for example: “That card-shark sure hosed me.” Hosed has an additional meaning of becoming drunk – for example: “Let’s go out and get hosed.”

Alternatively, the term may orginate as a variation of “loser”; in amateur games of hockey the losing team would have to “hose down” the rink, resurface the ice with a water hose. [wikipedia]

It’s the last explanation that I’m sticking with for now. I mean, the rest of it makes sense, but relating it back to hockey works for me. I think I also equate it with calling someone a dork or slightly inept. At the same time, and at least for me, it’s hardly has a derogatory term to it. I’ll call someone “hoser” as much as I’ll call them “dude”. Plus, it’s just fun to say.