Hunkie (1906)

[Sam Clements]

I'm not sure what you're looking for.

The term "hunky" to refer to Eastern Euorpeans is cited as ca.1896 by MW.
I'm sure it goes back that far.

If you're looking for what "hunked" as a verb means, then you're somewhat
right.  Having read that gruesome article, it would mean to me that the
"Hunky" had been treated in such a manner as to marginalize his existance,
he's just a cog, less than a person.   Thus he's been "hunked."

Sam Clements


----- Original Message -----
From: "Dave Wilton" <dave at WILTON.NET>
To: <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
Sent: Monday, July 03, 2006 4:08 PM
Subject: Hunkie (1906)


> HDAS has 1909.
>
> Chicago Daily Tribune, 14 May 1906, p.1:
> "STEEL MILL CITY LOCKS OUT POLICE
> "Accidents in Illinois Company Plant Are Known Officially Only When the
> 'Dead Wagon' Is Wanted
> "HOSPITAL IS A MYSTERY
> "Between Railroad Tracks and Great Furnaces It Stands a Terror to the Army
> of 'Hunkies.'"
>
> "Hun, Pole, Austrian, Bulgarian, Bohemian--the 'Hunkies' of Illinois Steel
> colloquialism--indifferent to pain of shattered, burned, mangled body grow
> frantic as the stretcher bearers near this fortress hospital [...] South
> Chicago distinctly doesn't like the 'Hunkie.' [...] A 'Hunkie' who has
> been
> 'hunked' in Illinois Steel makes a lot of strictly corporation trouble."
>
> I'm not clear on what the verb "hunk" is supposed to mean. It may mean
> being
> injured on the job.
>
> --Dave Wilton
>  dave at wilton.net
>
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>

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