or hay-seed, subs. (American).—A countryman. Cf., GAPE-SEED.
1851. HERMAN MELVILLE, Moby Dick, p. 36 (ed. 1892). Ah! poor HAYSEED.
1888. New York World. ‘I wouldn’t hev come into his shop if I had known it,’ protested the imitation HAY-PITCHER.
1888. Detroit Free Press, Sept. Al. (to HAYSEED)—Ever read Ouida? H.—No, but by golly I must get his books. The weeds in my garden are raisin’ eternal tarnation.
1890. C. L. NORTON, Political Americanisms, p. 53. HAYSEEDS = Rustics. The ‘HAYSEED delegation’ in a State legislature is supposed to consist of farmers or their representatives.
1890. Judge’s Annual, No. 6, p. 25. Them two fellers jest ahead of me has been passin’ d’rog’tory remarks about that HAYSEED’S ears.
1893. W. C. RUSSELL, Life of the Merchant Sailor, in Scribner’s Magazine, xiv., 8. Hired by the State to court the HAYSEED to the tenders.
