Derogatory and archaic term for an unsophisticated person from the countryside. Rare in modern usage; may appear in historical or period contexts.
In Edo-period documents, the word 芋助 was used to mock country folk.
Compound of 芋 (imo, 'potato') and 助 (suke, a common suffix for male names), implying a rustic, unsophisticated person. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.