hooker

Hooker is a term with several distinct meanings. In English, it commonly refers to a sex worker, particularly a prostitute who solicits clients. This usage is slang and can be considered offensive or stigmatizing, depending on context and audience. The term can also refer to several other things, including an English surname and various place names.

As a surname, Hooker is of English origin. It is an occupational name, historically given to someone who made or sold hooks or worked with hooks. Notable individuals with the surname include Thomas Hooker (1586–1647), a Puritan colonial leader who helped found Hartford, Connecticut, and Richard Hooker (1554–1600), an influential Anglican theologian.

In sports, hooker refers to a position in rugby union and rugby league. In rugby union, the hooker wears the number 2 jersey and is part of the front row; duties include striking for the ball in scrums and throwing the ball in at lineouts. In rugby league, the hooker is a key playmaker who typically wears jersey number 9 and feeds the ball from the scrum.

Hooker also appears in geography and culture as a place name in the United States, with several communities bearing the name Hooker.