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DictionaryshucksMild emotional reaction
interjection

shucks

SHUKS/ʃʌks/

Expresses mild dismay or modesty.

Shucks, I'm glad you like the craft I made.

A modest young adult smiles bashfully, looks down and scuffs a shoe as a friend warmly praises their handmade craft, mild embarrassed dismissal without words.
Etymology
shuckEnglishhusk; something worthless
+sEnglishplural

A shuck is a husk or shell, figuratively something worthless. The interjection turns that notion of little value into a mild dismissal, allowing speakers to minimize either disappointment or their own importance.

In context

DARKLIVITY65:49
He's like, "Oh, shucks. Forgot my disguise." It's like he's talking to them.
A Home Invasion, A Murder, and A Child that SAW everything!

More examples

  • Aw, shucks, I'm just glad I can help.
  • Oh, shucks, the store is already closed.
  • Shucks, you don't have to thank me.

Similar words

darn
Expresses mild annoyance or disappointment rather than modesty.
drat
Usually expresses irritation at a small setback, not modesty.