[General] honking (ring) =?

[thedaffodils]

She's wearing a big, honking engagement ring

Hi! What does 'honking' mean?

Thanks!

[BobK]

Originally Posted by thedaffodils

Hi! What does 'honking' mean?

Thanks!

I've never heard "honking" used that way, but I imagine it means 'big'; I'd guess it was formed from two words that are, informally, used in this sort of context - "hulking" and "zonking" (both of which, in Br English, are often used in collocation with "great": "hulking great"/"zonking great").

b

[thedaffodils]

Originally Posted by BobK

I've never heard "honking" used that way, but I imagine it means 'big'; I'd guess it was formed from two words that are, informally, used in this sort of context - "hulking" and "zonking" (both of which, in Br English, are often used in collocation with "great": "hulking great"/"zonking great").

b

Hi BobK, thank you for your answer.

[Barb_D]

I use that word all the time! :)

Mostly in speech though, and only rarely in writing. When I write it, I tend to say honkin' to emphasize the colloquial nature.

It just means "really big."

That's a honkin' big ring you got there.

And she gave this great big old honkin' burp, and you know, rather than look embarrassed, she said "Better up than down, huh?"

[Ouisch]

Literally, in AmE "honking" refers to the sound made my a horn (usually an automobile horn). Somewhere along the way, "honking" became an adjective to describe something very large or very spectacular or very noticable.

"Oh my goodness, did you see that big honking pimple on Susan's nose?!"

"Did you know that Mary got engaged?"
"How could I not know, she keeps flaunting that big honking diamond ring every chance she gets."

"I got so drunk last night - we went to this restaurant that served Margaritas in these big honking glasses... I was feeling silly after the first drink!"

[thedaffodils]

Barb_D & Ouisch,

Thank you for the interesting explanations.

I still have some questions about honkin' as below. Could any of you please answer the questions for me? Thanks in advance!

Q1: Is it a fix collocation between honkin' and big? I saw the examples you gave the two words usually go together. Can I just use honkin separately?

Q2: Can I use honkin' to describe a big thing/person? Are the examples I made as below correct or usual?

eg1 I buy a honkin' house.

eg2 I buy a honkin' car.

eg3 He is big honkin'. ( I mean he is very heavy.)

[vil]

I'm not a teacher.

Hi thedaffodils,

honking = (adj.) extremely large, very huge.

Origins: A common phrase heard especially around New England and possibly other parts of the world likely referring to something that is loud and stands out, or that is so big that it's worth honking your horn over.

Example: You see that big honkin tree over there?

And they make honking noises!" he said.
I mean I've never heard a reggae record like this, nor any other record, come to that, imagine the sort of slow, two-note bassline of De La Soul's "What's More" taken back to its R&B roots, with copping guitar, honking sax and leering swagger in the rhythm.
But just as I was on the point of giving up, the honking bus swerved past me.

Regards,

V.

[thedaffodils]

Hi Vil,

Thank you very much for your help.

[BobK]

And what about a very big goose?

b

[vil]

You might as well.

honk (n)

1. The raucous, resonant sound characteristic of a wild goose.
2. 1. A sound similar to a goose's honk: blew a loud honk on the bass saxophone.
   2. The blaring sound of the horn on a motor vehicle.

Regards,

V.