Elliot and I had a very thought provoking conversation today. We talked about common phrases and their possible origins. One, in particular, has us truly puzzled.
Who the hell is this “Cootie Brown” fella, and how did his reputation get to be so widespread? Practically everyone in the South, and maybe in other regions as well, has heard of Cootie Brown. In fact, many of us have been compared to him.
“He was drunker than Cootie Brown!”
Cootie Brown is a legend around these parts. No one seems to know what he did or when he did it, but one thing is certain - he got plastered and left his mark on the world.
I’m curious. Have you heard of Cootie Brown? If so, please put a pin on the map below. Have you ever been drunker than Cootie Brown? And if so, how drunk were you? What did you do?
A special prize will go to anyone who has actually met Cootie Brown and would be willing to provide us with photos and/or interviews.
July 21st, 2006 at 6:14 pm
i dated his sister for a good three months awhile back there. HoooWeee! she was a ripe ‘un! like flickin fleas with a shoelace she was!
July 21st, 2006 at 7:30 pm
We say “drunker than Cooter Brown”. So I guess I don’t know Cootie, but I’ve definitely known Cooter! lol
And yeah, I’ve have definitely been drunker than Cooter Brown. Usually though, when you’re that drunk, you don’t really remember much that you did.
(I never comment though always read, just didn’t want you to think I was some freaky weirdo. Well, I am, I guess, but still… )
July 21st, 2006 at 8:52 pm
I’ve always heard of him as Cooter Brown too. And I have been drunker than Cooter Brown and blacked out for 8 hours! A long time ago…
July 21st, 2006 at 9:34 pm
We say cooter brown too, I think I’ve drank him under the table a few times…
July 21st, 2006 at 10:52 pm
NO WAY!
My family says someone got the Cootie Brown award. At every function some gets Cootie Brown.
We were told that Cootie Brown was the town drunk and my Grandfather knew him. I’m calling the folks in the morning to try and get more details.
July 21st, 2006 at 11:51 pm
Brico ~ Umm, okay…
Queen ~ Thanks for commenting! Wow, this Cooter/Cootie Brown fella sure is popular! I’m going to check your blog out now…
JC ~ I knew you had a wild streak in ya.
Blondie ~ Very nice! Care to share a few details?
Red ~ That’s awesome!! I can’t wait to hear what you find out!
July 22nd, 2006 at 12:00 pm
I don’t know who this Cootie Brown is, but if he is any relation to a skunk. I’ve been as drunk as a skunk, totally legless and talking in Braille.
Sorry I can’t help about that bloke.
July 22nd, 2006 at 12:17 pm
I’m not sure if he was a villain on the Dukes of Hazzard or a guitarist for Charlie Daniels’ Band. Then again, he might have been a moonshiner from Kentucky that crashed and died in the early days of Nascar (when it was moonshiners and not the pretty boys of Hendrick).
I hope this helps you out a little.
July 22nd, 2006 at 1:43 pm
I must admit I’ve never heard of Cootie Brown so I don’t really know what his drink limit is but I have heard the term “cooties” and it makes me think I need to keep a safe distance from him.:)
tc
July 25th, 2006 at 1:36 am
Well I am from up in Canada and we get drunk as skunks but not as drunk as Cooter/Cootie Brown, eh. Though it appears that Cooter Brown has his own Tavern and is also a band. The band’s website also includes the Farmers Almanac version of who Cooter Brown actually was…but who can really say
Excellent Question, take care!
January 23rd, 2007 at 2:13 am
You mean like gettin’ down like Cootie Brown?
http://www.myspace.com/cootiebrown
November 8th, 2007 at 3:50 pm
Yeah, gettin down with Cootie Brown… http://www.cootiebrown.net
November 13th, 2007 at 5:22 pm
Call Cootie Brown’s restaurant in Johnson City TN. Maybe they know the official version.
July 30th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
I worked at the Cootie Brown’s in Johnson City for almost 3 years! I got asked who Cootie was on pretty much a daily basis. Never learned the official story, though. But the restaurant is pretty sweet, you should check them out online or stop by if you’re ever in east TN.