Green’s Dictionary of Slang

elmer n.

[the use of Elmer as a ‘typical’ country name]

(US) a rural or unsophisticated man.

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[US]N.Y. Tribune 27 June 8/1: [cartoon caption] Oh You El-mer!
[US] ‘Whitman College Sl.’ in AS XVIII:2 Apr. 154/1: he’s an elmer. Refers to a dumb and simple boy.
[US]W. Keyser ‘Carny Lingo’ in http://goodmagic.com 🌐 Rube — A scornful term for the outsider to show business; also ‘Elmer,’ ‘towner,’ ‘townie,’ [...] ‘hayseed’ or ‘chump’ .