My classmate John was a bootlicker

[alpacinou]

How common is "bootlicker"? I know it's not used in BrE but what about AmE?

Is this okay?

My classmate John was a bootlicker and always snitched on us to the teacher.

What other options are there? I already know apple-polisher and I'm looking for other words.

 

[5jj]

How common is "bootlicker"? I know it's not used in BrE

it is, though it strikes me as a little dated now.

 

[alpacinou]

it is, though it strikes me as a little dated now.

What can be used that's not dated?

 

[emsr2d2]

Creep (not vulgar)
Brown-noser (vulgar)
Arse-licker (vulgar)
If he got preferential treatment because of his snitching, you could use "teacher's pet".

If you Google "synonyms for bootlicker", you'll get lots more suggestions, some more natural than others.

 

[probus]

Bootlicker is not used in AmE to my knowledge. Some people use brown-noser or just brown-nose instead, but some might consider that rude. A neutral alternative is apple-polisher.

 

[Skrej]

Bootlicker is not used in AmE to my knowledge. Some people use brown-noser or just brown-nose instead, but some might consider that rude. A neutral alternative is apple-polisher.

It's actually fairly common in AmE. I think I may have used it myself once or twice, but the phrase it quite common in political commentary. 'Apple-polisher' is new to me, however.

Extreme profanity warning - here's a movie clip using 'bootlicker' .

Here are some none-profane example, all related to politics:
Bootlicker of the week video - I didn't listen to the actual video, just saw the title.
Example found on Twitter
Texas news article
Florida paper opinion article
A quote in the middle combines it with the awesome insult 'feckless'

A Google search (using just the news link) lists countless more current uses of it.

Another alternate term is 'toady', or possibly even 'sycophant'.