folks

Etymology 1

noun

1. The members of one's immediate family, especially one's parents
   My folks visit us at Christmas.
2. (US) People in general; everybody or anybody.
   Wilson: He's right. They endorse Royce, fine, 'the hell else they gonna do? But what they say and don't say from the pulpit the Sunday before the primary we still got a dog in that fight. Carcetti: I do this right, they respect it. Wilson: An' if they don't, at least they get to see a beggin'-ass white man on his knees. Always a feel-good moment for the folks. 2006 Oct. 1, Dennis Lehane, "Refugees", The Wire, 00:32:06
   Lots of folks like to travel during the holidays.
3. (US, slang, rare, southern Louisiana) The police.

noun

1. plural of folk

Etymology 2

Coined by California historian Kevin Starr.

noun

1. (California) Late 19th and early 20th century migrants to California from Iowa and other parts of the Midwestern United States.
   McPherson's healing ministry, in fact. was at the core of her success, since so many of the Folks had come to Southern California in late middle or old age in the hope of regaining lost health. 2007, Kevin Starr, California: A History, Modern Library, page 182