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Korean slang
Dirt Spoon; someone born into a poor or struggling family (opposite of Gold Spoon).
Safe to use?
Usually safest with people who already understand the context.
Tone
Casual and context-dependent.
Region
Korean
Formality
Informal.
heul-su-jeo (흙수저) means Dirt Spoon; someone born into a poor or struggling family (opposite of Gold Spoon). It is best read as korean slang associated with Korean.
"heul-su-jeo (흙수저)" means Dirt Spoon; someone born into a poor or struggling family (opposite of Gold Spoon). In Korean, the nuance may be more specific.
Use it in casual contexts where the listener already understands the tone around the term.
"People use "heul-su-jeo (흙수저)" to mean dirt spoon; someone born into a poor or struggling family (opposite of gold spoon)."
"I saw "heul-su-jeo (흙수저)" in a message and checked the context before using it."
"That sounds like "heul-su-jeo (흙수저)" if everyone in the conversation understands the tone."
Casual and context-dependent.
Usually safest with people who already understand the context.
Context-dependent
A condescending or preachy older person (often a boss or teacher) who insists on being ...
Short for family; close friends.
Close friend / family-like
A person who lacks money or lives on the streets.
Insider; a popular, social person who is always up to date with trends.
Short for "bourgeois-bohème." Used to describe urban hipsters/middle-class progressives.
Our current dataset does not confirm the exact origin of "heul-su-jeo (흙수저)". The entry is associated with Korean, but that is a usage clue rather than proof of origin. We avoid filling that gap with guessed history.
Usually safest with people who already understand the context.
This entry is best understood as Korean slang. Usage can still vary by speaker and context.
Use caution. Slang can sound too casual or forced in professional settings unless the workplace tone is relaxed.
"kkondae (꼰대)" is related, but the tone and exact meaning may differ. Compare the example sentences before swapping one for the other.
Our entry treats it as current enough to explain, but slang changes quickly. Check recent context before using it yourself.
Slang meanings vary by region, speaker, and context. Tell us if the meaning, tone, examples, or background should be updated.
SlangWatch entries are maintained by the SlangWatch Editorial Team using submitted examples, regional labels, tags, and ongoing reader corrections. We avoid claiming a precise origin or cultural pathway unless the entry has meaningful supporting data.