Buzz
Find out if being called a ‘wook’ is a diss or just part of the scene
Been to a rave or festival lately? You’ve probably heard someone mention a “wook.” These characters are staples of the EDM and festival world—often recognized by their aversion to hygiene, tendency to ‘borrow’ things indefinitely, and habit of showing up under the influence. In this guide, we’ll unpack where the term comes from, what it really means, and how to identify (or steer clear of) the wooks in the wild.
What does 'wook' mean in the world of EDM, raves, and hippie vibes?
“Wook” is slang for a type of free-spirited, often unkempt individual found in hippie-adjacent subcultures who embraces psychedelics, forgoes deodorant, and has a knack for annoying others. Though meant to describe a festival archetype, the term is usually used in a less-than-flattering way.
How-To Guide
Who—or what—exactly is a wook?
A wook is a drug-using festival-goer known for questionable hygiene and questionable habits. You’ll often find wooks wandering around events like Coachella, Bonnaroo, or Burning Man. While they may claim to be there for the music or the vibe, most are more focused on partying. Wooks tend to have a reputation for being grubby, dishonest, and a bit of a nuisance.
- They’re also frequently viewed as aimless or lazy—unemployed and dependent on others for rides, food, money, or entry into festivals.
- Despite the stereotype, you can’t always pick a wook out by appearance alone. It’s usually their actions that give them away, though those often come with a certain scruffy look.
-
“Wook” in action:
- Seriously, did you use deodorant today? You’re starting to smell like a wook.
- Be careful accepting drinks. Some wook might slip something in it.
- I avoid Phish concerts in the Midwest now. Too many wooks packed into one place.
- Watch out for Daniel. That wook stole my friend’s phone and never gave it back.
- Seriously, did you use deodorant today? You’re starting to smell like a wook.
Is calling someone a 'wook' meant as a compliment or an insult?
“Wook” is generally used as an insult. Most people don’t take it as a compliment. While some friend groups may toss the word around as a joke, it usually carries negative weight. Even self-aware wooks tend to deny the label.
- It’s closest in meaning to phrases like “dirty hippie” or “crusty,” though “wook” comes with extra baggage—there’s often an implication of sketchy or even criminal behavior that those other terms don’t fully capture.
Where did the term “wook” originate?
The term “wook” comes from “Wookie,” the shaggy alien species from Star Wars. Think Chewbacca—massive, hairy, often mumbling incoherently, and a little intimidating. That’s the general vibe the label wook tries to capture: wild hair, unintelligible talk, and a slightly scary presence (sorry, Chewie!).
The Signature Look of a Wook
Wooks love dreadlocks, tie-dye, and weird trinkets. Their fashion sense is less about style and more about a chaotic, grimy vibe. You’ll often see them in dreadlocks, jam band tees, tie-dyed everything, and accessorized with cheap LED chains or glow-in-the-dark bucket hats. They also go for offbeat jewelry—think beard beads or septum rings.
- Still, wook-dom isn’t just about clothes. It’s how you carry yourself—and how often (or not) you shower.
- There’s a running joke that wooks adore LED gadgets because they’re mesmerizing, especially under the influence of certain substances.
Personal hygiene isn’t a wook’s strong suit. At multi-day music festivals, most people make some effort to stay fresh. Wooks, however, often skip the showers, cologne, or even a change of clothes. It’s not unusual to see them in stained outfits that still reek from the previous event.
Being shady is part of the wook playbook. At the heart of the stereotype is a certain sketchy behavior—wooks tend to mooch, lurk, and take without asking. They might hover around groups hoping to snag a free hit or drink, or swoop in on unattended drinks at a bar.
- They’re known for sneaking into tents or rooms uninvited.
- Wooks often “adopt” things they find lying around, assuming no one owns them anymore.
- Paying for anything? Rare. Wooks prefer asking for free food or catching rides without ever offering up gas money.
Top Music Genres Beloved by Wooks
Jam bands Acts like Phish, The Grateful Dead, SoundTribe Sector 9, Umphrey’s McGee, and The String Cheese Incident are staples in the wook music world. If the tunes are free-flowing, rooted in hippie vibes, and full of long improvisational stretches, wooks will be there grooving.
Outlaw country Think Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Sturgis Simpson, and Colter Wall. This gritty, rebellious style of country music appeals to the more cowboy-hat-wearing variety of wook—same free-spirited feel, just dressed in denim instead of tie-dye.
EDM Electronic dance music also has a hold on wooks—especially the kind that's bass-heavy and hypnotic. While hardcore EDM fans may scoff at their preference for simpler dubstep or Dutch house, wooks are here for the sensory ride, not the complexity.
Rave music Rave culture, often steeped in substance use, is a natural habitat for wooks. Wherever the strobe lights flash and the beats pulse all night long, expect a few wooks roaming around soaking up the scene—or looking for their next fix.
What exactly is a groundscore?
Groundscores are mystery drug baggies that only a wook would dare to pick up. The so-called “groundscore test” is a solid way to spot a wook in the wild. At raves and festivals, people sometimes drop tiny baggies of illicit substances while dancing. These unknown substances are incredibly risky to consume—but wooks are usually the only ones curious or careless enough to scoop them up.
