a lot of
from French
beaucoupI 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!