honky-tonk

See also: honkytonk and honky tonk

English

Tootsie's Orchid Lounge, Nashville

Alternative forms

• honky tonk, honkytonk

Etymology

From honk-a-tonk (“a cheap nightclub”), possibly imitative.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈhɒŋkiˌtɒŋk/, /ˈhɑŋkiˌtɑŋk/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Noun

honky-tonk (countable and uncountable, plural honky-tonks)

1. (US) A bar or nightclub that caters to Southern patrons and provides country music for entertainment.
   • 1969, Shel Silverstein (lyrics and music), “A Boy Named Sue”, performed by Johnny Cash:

     But I made a vow to the moon and stars / That I'd search the honky-tonks and bars / And kill that man who gave me that awful name

   • 1975, James Taylor (lyrics and music), “Mexico”, in Gorilla, →OCLC:

     Talking 'bout in Mexico (Mexico) / In a honky-tonk down in Mexico

2. (dated) Any cheap nightclub.
3. (dated, uncountable) The type of music typically played in such a club.
4. (music, uncountable) A style of country music emphasizing traditional country instruments (e.g., guitar, steel guitar and fiddle); a rough, nasal vocal style; and tragic themes such as heartbreak, infidelity and alcoholism often associated with patrons of honky-tonks.

Derived terms

• honky tonk-like
• honky-tonker

See also

• honky

Further reading

• honky-tonk on Wikipedia.Wikipedia