druther

English

Etymology

A corruption of I'd rather or 'd rather.

Noun

druther (plural druthers)

1. (rare) Singular form of druthers.
   • 2004, Sherry H. Penney, James D. Livingston, A Very Dangerous Woman: Martha Wright and Women's Rights,

     The teacher told Martha that she had invited a neighboring planter to send his children to her school, but "he said 'Me & my wife had no eddication, nor any of my gals, but I would rather they never would have any, than go to school with niggers.' So he had his druther!"⁴⁸

Usage notes

• The plural form druthers (which see also) is much more common.

Verb

druther (no infinitive, tenses, or participles)

1. (US, informal, often jocular) Would rather; would prefer to.

   I'd druther stay home today.

   We druther go swimming than go to school.

   • 1884, Mark Twain, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,

     The old gentleman was for going along with me, but I said no, I could drive the horse myself, and I druther he wouldn't take no trouble about me.

   • 1903, Jack London, The Call of the Wild,

     "He's no slouch at dog-breakin', that's wot I say," one of the men on the wall cried enthusiastically.

     "Druther break cayuses any day, and twice on Sundays," was the reply of the driver, as he climbed on the wagon and started the horses.

Related terms

• druthers