Where did this word come from? Is it Italian or portuguese?

Maybe it was one of those 60's Sitcoms...Like Googan's Island


Or maybe a Japanese Monster..Godzilla vs Goo-Gan

The story I heard is that a guy named Jeff Googan moved out to the east coast from somewhere in the midwest. I think it was Idaho or Iowa. Once the name Googan became synonomous with inept fishemmen, he changed his last name.

I think it originated back at the turn of the 20th century in Montana where the states lone surf caster would stand for hours casting into what he thought was the ocean?? Reel upside down, running start to the waters edge the whole nine yards.....his name??? Chuck Googan!! Thats where the term "Googan" comes from!! Chuck moved to North Dakota sometime in the 1920's to start up the nations first surfcasting school........................but it was not to be and after 3 weeks he went out of business! It is said that he moved to Rhode Island and took up Buffalo hunting...............Chuck Googan was his name. At least thats how I heard it?:jump1:

This is a little known, early color photo of Chuck Googan that my Great Grandfather took while on vacation to "Big Sky Country"! The guy is a legend out there.....as far as Googans go!

When I started out fishing, I had a verbal tic where I would constantly say googan, googan. I soon became linked to googan. Since I wasn't very good, the word became synonamous with bad fisherman. Happily, I've overcome the verbal tic.

...here is something:

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Googan

Here is the ultimate Googan

Hi Paulie :wavey: - how was FLA

(btw, the Obama part looks photoshopped)

Hi JR:
Fla was warm and sunny. Fishing was slow. Got some small snook and some big jacks. Was going to post pics but got home and I cannot find my camera.


See you at the TFCTFN.

I woudn't know about the photoshop stuff being a computer novice :)

Where did this word come from? Is it Italian or portuguese?

I found this in The Dictionary of American Slang:

googan, ('gu-gin) n. 1. a novice, newcomer, newbie
2. also, a hapless soul, a buffoon
3. dimwit, dunce, douchebag syn. goober, gomer, goon (Origin > Regional Sl., Mid-Atlantic US, Kentucky/Appalachia, poss. misinterpretation of good'un due to poor dentition and palate deformities, as in That's a good'un, Jethro!

Maybe it comes from the Australian word or term, " goog". Which means egg. Maybe like an egghead, or such. :)