hey rube

American

interjection

(used as a call to rally circus or carnival personnel in a fight, especially in a fight with townspeople.)

noun

a fight between townspeople and the members of a circus or carnival.

Etymology

Origin of hey rube

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

If you don’t turn loose my arm, I’ll—I’ll scream ‘Hey rube’—” “What a dire threat!” the New Yorker laughed with genuine amusement.

From Project Gutenberg

“One shouts, ‘Hey, rube!’” she told him.

From Project Gutenberg

And his stentorian “Hey, rube!” struggled up through layers of dripping canvas, bringing speedy relief for the submerged “rube” and performer.

From Project Gutenberg

When at last the tent was raised, Sally walked out, Van’s arm still about her shivering, soaked body, to find apparently the entire carnival force huddled in the rain to welcome her, drawn by that fateful cry of “Hey, rube!”

From Project Gutenberg

But if ever he is in physical danger or trouble, all he needs do is shout "Hey, Rube!" and every carny within earshot will come to his aid.

From Time Magazine Archive

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023