A fork of Rural Dictionary
a lot of
from French beaucoup
I used and heard the term frequently in the late seventies as a dependent on military bases in West Germany.
Later I heard it in a famous Vietnam movie as well, and suspect it may have either originated or been revived there, as the French fought in Indochina.
I was not aware it was predominantly a southern term, as it was used by northerners as well.
"I made bookoo bucks selling Malabar from the French PX."
note: French Malabar gum was sold at a profit in my American junior high school in Germany. Yes, even their gum is better!