Is some crazy drunk person running around ‘buck naked’ or ‘butt naked’? Wondering which spelling to use? And which is correct? We’ll talk about the difference between these two terms, plus teach you the correct usage for each and how to use them both in a sentence correctly.
Don’t feel like skimming? Here’s the short answer.
‘Butt naked’ and ‘buck naked’ mean the same thing, and the terms can pretty much be used interchangeably. However, ‘buck naked’ is the older phrase, and most published writing uses this phrase.
As you just learned, both phrases are technically correct to use. The phrase was originally ‘buck naked,’ but since we’ve been referring to our rear ends as ‘butts,’ the term ‘buck naked’ slowly became used interchangeably with ‘butt naked.’
Language evolves over time.
You just learned that there’s no real difference between ‘buck naked’ and ‘butt naked.’
Let’s define the phrase and see some examples of how to use it in a sentence correctly.
Let’s break down the phrase and define each word. Then, we’ll define the term as a whole.
The Merriam-Webster definition of ‘butt’ is: “buttocks > often used as a euphemism for ass in idiomatic expressions,” “the large or thicker end of something (tool or weapon, a lean uppercut of the pork shoulder, the base of a plant from which the roots spring, etc.),” “an unused remainder (as of a cigarette or cigar),” and “the part of a hide or skin corresponding to the animal’s back and sides.”
The noun means: “an object of abuse or ridicule: victim,” “target,” “a blind for shooting birds,” “a backstop (such as a mound or bank) for catching missiles shot at a target,” “goal,” and “limit, bound,” “a large cask especially for wine, beer, or water,” “any various units of liquid capacity,” and “a blow or thrust usually with the head or horns.”
The verb means: “to strike or shove with the head or horns” or “to thrust or push headfirst: strike with the head or horns.”
The Merriam-Webster definition of ‘naked’ is: “not covered by clothing: nude,” “devoid of customary or natural covering: bare,” “not enclosed in a scabbard,” “not provided with a shade,” “lacking pubescence or enveloping or subtending parts,” “lacking foliage vegetation,” “lacking an external covering (as of hair, feathers, or shell),” “scantily supplied or furnished,” “lacking embellishment: unadorned,” “unarmed, defenseless,” “marked by a lack of protection or coverage by blockers,” “lacking confirmation or support,” “devoid of concealment or disguise,” “unaided by any optical device or instrument,” and “not backed by the writer’s ownership of the commodity contract or security.”
Synonyms of the word include:
The definition of ‘butt naked’ or ‘buck naked’ is: “completely naked: buck naked.”
Now that you know what the phrase means let’s see some examples of how to use it in a sentence correctly.
Remember that these phrases can be used interchangeably because they mean the same thing.
Now that you know that the terms mean the same thing and that they can be used interchangeably, you can use the above examples to craft your own sentences.
If you ever get stuck, you can always come back here to refresh your memory. We’ve also got a ton of other content dedicated to explaining confusing words and phrases. Go check it out.
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