In the Caribbean and parts of North America, a potlicker is a mongrel dog — a mixed-breed stray or yard dog, the kind that survives on scraps and street smarts. The name likely comes from a dog's habit of licking out cooking pots. In some North American uses, potlicker is also a mild insult for a contemptible or low-character person, suggesting someone who scrapes the bottom. The term has more affection attached to it in the Caribbean, where potlickers are simply a fact of life in most neighborhoods.
Three potlickers followed us down the beach hoping we'd drop some food.
No comments yet — say something.
(North America, Caribbean) A mongrel dog.
No comments yet — say something.
(rare, North America) A contemptible person.
No comments yet — say something.
Add your own interpretation of "potlicker".
Regional slang from around the English-speaking world — British, Australian, Irish, Caribbean, Nigerian, Filipino, AAVE, and the hyphenated-English dialects that make the internet sound local.
See all Regional & Other slang on Slangora.