* Goopher refers to a charm, spell, or potion used to ward off evil, protect someone, or cause harm. It's often associated with hoodoo, conjure, and other forms of folk magic practiced by African Americans in the South.
* Goopher can also be used as a verb, meaning to put a spell or curse on someone.
Examples:
* "The old woman put a goopher on the farmer's crops so they wouldn't grow."
* "The goopher was supposed to protect the house from bad spirits."
Origin:
The word "goopher" is thought to come from the Gullah language, a creole language spoken by African Americans in the coastal regions of South Carolina and Georgia.
Other meanings:
While the folklore meaning is the most common, "goopher" can also refer to:
* A type of sweet potato.
* A type of bird.
* A word used as a synonym for "gopher", a type of rodent.
It's important to note that the meaning of "goopher" is often tied to cultural context. Understanding the specific context in which it is used is crucial to understanding its intended meaning.