honkies

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "honkies" is correct and usable in written English, though it is considered derogatory.
It can be used in informal contexts, often in discussions about race or ethnicity, but it is important to be aware of its offensive nature. Example: "The term 'honkies' is often used in a derogatory manner to refer to white people in certain social contexts."

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

He and a few other "honkies," as he puts it — a Serbian computer specialist, a Chase Manhattan vice-president, a d.j., and a former union organizer — who frequented the Music Palace tried to raise money to save it.

The New Yorker

Hulking and albino, the Neanderthal-like Tekelians (or "snow honkies," as Booker calls them) have been monitoring the newcomers all along.

The New York Times - Books

Since this shift toward majority-minority is a trend across the demographic board in the US, maybe we can at last look forward to a level playing field on which even honkies belong to a minority and thus constitute one more special interest group.

The Guardian

The white neighbour was a bigot, and the dialogue was peppered with terms such as "honkies" and "nig-nogs".

The Guardian

In the mid-70s, the sitcom Love Thy Neighbour fed off a regular diet of jokes about "honkies" and "nig-nogs".

The Guardian

They were the Hawks and toyed with becoming the Crackers or the Honkies before eventually settling on the Band".

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

It tasted exceptionally good, too, vividly and authentically Japanese, which is much preferable to chefs who appropriate exotic flavours and then do them in toned-down, for-the-honkies, Michelin-appeasing versions.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Like its 2013 predecessor Old Yellow Moon, it's a lovely journey through their joint musical hinterland, featuring finely crafted songs, graceful harmonies and just a little bit of honky tonk.

The Guardian - Music

But anyone wanting the real sound of music at home we can't price our ex-colleague's visits to honky-tonk bars, possibly listed as "concert with Vanderbilts"—had to buy an instrument (and then pay for his daughters to be taught how to play it).

The Economist

"In the Valley of Elah" shows a bleak world of honky-tonks, fast-food outlets and faceless motels surrounding an army base.

The Economist

"Looks like he's going to keep that title for quite a while," said Granger Smith, a country singer, before resuming his honky-tonk song at Mr Perry's election-night party.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Exercise caution when using the term "honkies" due to its offensive nature. It is generally advisable to use more neutral terms like "white people" or "Caucasians" in formal or professional contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "honkies" in situations where neutrality and respect are expected. Its derogatory connotation can lead to misunderstandings and offense.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "honkies" is as a plural noun, referring to a group of people. Given the derogatory nature recognized by Ludwig AI, its function often extends beyond simple designation to express prejudice or disdain. See examples of quotations in context.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "honkies" is a plural noun functioning as a derogatory term for white people. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically acceptable primarily in quoted speech or character dialogue, but emphasizes its offensive nature. Its register is highly informal, and usage is generally discouraged in professional or neutral contexts. Alternative, non-offensive terms like "white people" or "Caucasians" are recommended. While the term appears in news and encyclopedic sources, it's usually within discussions about language or instances of its usage, rather than as a neutral descriptor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

white people

This is the most neutral and widely accepted term.

Caucasians

A formal and clinical term referring to people of European origin.

white individuals

A more descriptive and formal way to refer to white people.

palefaces

An outdated and potentially offensive term, historically used by Native Americans.

crackers

A derogatory term for poor white people, primarily in the Southern United States.

ofay

A slang term, sometimes derogatory, for a white person.

whiteys

A derogatory slang term for white people.

gringos

A term used in Latin America, sometimes derogatory, to refer to foreigners, especially Americans and the English.

snowflakes

A slang term, usually derogatory, referring to white people who are perceived as overly sensitive or easily offended.

casper

A slang term, usually derogatory, for white people.

FAQs

What does "honkies" mean?

"Honkies" is a derogatory slang term for white people.

Is it acceptable to use the word "honkies"?

The word "honkies" is generally considered offensive and should be avoided in most contexts. It is better to use neutral terms such as "white people" or "Caucasians".

What are some alternative phrases to "honkies" that are not offensive?

Some alternative phrases that are not offensive include "white people", "Caucasians", or "white individuals".

In what context might someone use the word "honkies"?

The word "honkies" might be used in informal or derogatory contexts, often in discussions about race or ethnicity, but its use is generally discouraged due to its offensive nature.