“Stoolie” is slang for an informer or snitch, especially someone who gives information to the police. It is a shortened form of “stool pigeon.”
The word is generally used negatively when someone is accused of secretly providing information about another person.
What Does Stoolie Mean?
In American slang, a stoolie is a person who acts as an informer or police informant. The word can also describe someone serving as a decoy.
For example: “They found out he was a stoolie.”
Here, the speaker is saying that the person was giving information to authorities.
Where Did the Word Stoolie Come From?
Stoolie comes from “stool pigeon,” an older American slang term for an informer or decoy. The expression originally referred to a pigeon used as a decoy to attract other birds. Over time, “stool pigeon” developed its slang meaning and was shortened to “stoolie.”
“Stool pigeon” dates to around 1820–1830 in American English.
Is Stoolie the Same as Snitch?
Yes, in most modern slang contexts, “stoolie” and “snitch” mean roughly the same thing. Both can refer to someone who reports information about another person, particularly to authorities.
Other slang terms with a similar meaning include rat, fink, squealer, and stool pigeon.
How Do You Use Stoolie in a Sentence?
A few natural examples are:
- “Nobody trusted him after they called him a stoolie.”
- “The police believed their stoolie had useful information.”
- “He was accused of being a stoolie.”
The word is informal and usually carries a negative tone.
Does Stoolie Have Another Meaning?
Context can change the meaning. “Stoolie” is also used by Barstool Sports communities as a name for a fan or follower of the platform. That is a separate, informal usage.
So, if you see “stoolie” in a crime, police or street-slang context, it usually means informer or snitch. If it appears in a Barstool Sports discussion, it may refer to a follower of the brand.
Stoolie Meaning in Simple Terms
Stoolie = informer, snitch or police informant.
The word comes from “stool pigeon” and is generally used as a derogatory slang term.