Boondocks refers to a sparsely populated remote area, often associated with rural agriculture. Its origin is unclear, but it may come from the Tagalog word bundok. It can be used positively to describe a desirable location or negatively to describe a backward or uninhabitable area. It can also refer to an area with non-progressive views.
Boondocks or boonies is a term usually associated with a sparsely populated remote area, such as country outside of cities or towns. Contemporary usage of the word is sometimes understood to refer to a rural area that is not only remote but also backward or old-fashioned in technology or thinking. However, the broader usage simply refers to a place that remains largely undeveloped for anything other than agriculture.
The exact origin of the term boondocks is unclear. A common theory is that the word is an Americanized version of the Tagalog word bundok which refers to mountains. According to this theory, American soldiers serving in the Philippines during World War II coined the phrase and switched to British forces in the area. The phrase was meant to refer to areas in the Philippines where the enemy could successfully hide in the mountains and remain undetected by Allied forces.
Since the mid-20th century, the term boondocks has been used to refer to sections of the country that remain uncongested and free from many of the problems associated with living in an urban area. People living in rural areas often use boondocks as a term of endearment for their locale, noting the clean air, open spaces, and perceived lack of crime and other vices that are often attributed to big cities. In this context, boondocks are seen as a desirable condition where the pace of life is less stressful and it is possible to engage in activities that promote a positive lifestyle.
However, not everyone uses boondocks to refer to a desirable geographic location. Often, the term is used to describe an area that is considered backward and not shy of being uninhabitable. The description may be based on the fact that the rural locality in question is a long way from any major city, or even a city of significant size. In other cases, it may refer to a lack of technology in the area. For example, a person who is accustomed to using a cable modem or some other broadband application to connect to the Internet may consider a remote area that is served by dial-up services only as “within the boundaries.”
The term can also be used to refer to an area in which people are thought to hold political, social, or religious views that are not progressive in nature. When used derogatorily, boondocks are usually understood to imply lower status, rather than a difference in type of geographic location.
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