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Origin and history of hunky-dory

hunky-dory(adj.)

"excellent, as well as can be," by 1864, American English, also hunkey dorey, hunkey-do-ree, hunky dori; a word of obscure origin.

Most early attestations are in minstrel songs or character names, but the earliest appearance in newspapers is as the slogan on a banner at a Democratic political rally in 1864 (Brooklyn Eagle, Oct. 22). By 1866 it is noted (and frowned upon) as a general slang word.

I cannot conceive on any theory of etymology that I ever studied why anything that is "hunkee doree," or "hefty," or "kindy dusty," should be so admirable .... [George Wakeman, "Live Metaphors," in "The Galaxy," Oct. 1, 1866]

Perhaps it is an elaboration of hunkey "all right, satisfactory" (1861), from hunk "in a safe position" (1847), said to be New York City slang used in street games, from Dutch honk "post, station, home," in children's play, "base, goal," from Middle Dutch honc "place of refuge, hiding place."

Entries linking to hunky-dory

"conservative, fogey," 1849, American English, especially and originally "one of the conservative Democrats of New York of the 1840s" (opposed to the Barnburners). Supposedly from New York dialect hunk "post, station, home," hence "those who stay safe on base" (see hunky-dory), but it also has been said to be from a local word for a curmudgeon, and hunks is recorded from c. 1600 as a name for a surly, crusty old person or miser.

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    Trends of hunky-dory

    adapted from books.google.com/ngrams/ with a 7-year moving average; ngrams are probably unreliable.

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