Now you know!

Heard that the word 'hunky' does not only refer to a buff guy with muscles. It could be a derogatory word for a white guy, specifically one from the East European block. 

At the turn of the 19th century US, many Slavic and Hungarian economic and religious refugees from the ailing Austro-Hungarian Empire turned up at Pennsylvania and West Virginia coal mines. As per the norm, many immigrants were hardworking people who were there to earn and go back and lead a better life. A group of young blokes expressed their newly found freedom in the saloons and sin dens. Over time, their alcohol-filled emotions would spiral into street fights and general public nuisance. Many were Hungarians and Pollacks (Polish), collectively called Hunyaks or Honyaks. 

Maybe because these manual labourers were defined with well-endowed physiques and using slur terms against any group became politically incorrect, the word hunky is now exclusively for a buffed person. 

Curiously, the words' hongkies' and 'honkytonk' are not precisely accepted kindly. People originating from Hong Kong rather be referred to as Hongkongers. 'Hongkie' is officially a slur word. Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones penned 'Honkytonk Women' after his trip to Portugal. He watched some cowboys at work and imagined probably sexual escapades in hongky-tonk bars. Incidentally, the music played in honky-tonk bars is called hillbilly music, referring to the loud music and bawdy comedy that accompanies it. It is a low-brow establishment with drunken patrons having a jolly good time. Jagger's lyrics do not precisely elevate its status. The music is catchy, nevertheless. 

Incidentally, in urban lingo, hongky-tonk refers to the gluteal region of a female, particularly a cute one. Now you know.

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Honkie tonk woman!

Continuing the set of write-ups on books written by Malaysian writers, I had the chance to read this light book on the quirky habits of Malaysians, looked in a light hearted manner. The book had been looking at me many times before, begging to be bought till I finally succumbed to its persuasion!
It was written back in 2007 by a Lydia Teh, a home-maker, who must have had a killing with celebrities as many local celebrities (Adibah Amin, Yasmin Ahmad, Reggie Lee, Phua Chu Kang, Johan Jaafar and even Kevin Cowherd!)have written rave reviews at the back of the book cover. It is basically a collection of blogs written by her in her blog over the years. My personal opinion is that it is neither earth shattering or ground smashing - seen that, read that and heard that. A few topics are fresh though and witty and clean, coming from a mother of four..

Nothing to do with 'Honk'
This song is about a bar hostess
cum sex worker! Sang by Rolling Stones
in 1969, penned by the Lip!

Hey, maybe I should do that too, publish my posts. Nah,I better stay with my day job. Too stressful to expect others to appreciate my constant whining and complaining!