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by shammers still slogging along on May 3rd, 2008
I think a "tonk" was a bar predominately frequented by southern African Americans in the 20th century. Honky we all know was a black term used to refer to white people, so when white people started attending clubs where predominately black musicians played, it was referred to as a honky tonk. By the late 40's, any local bar that played any kind of music was referred to as a honky tonk. I grew up in the south and am a bit familiar with the term and that's how I learned about it.
by Kevisaurus is a Carnotaurus today on May 3rd, 2008
Honky Tonk
"cheap night club," 1924, earlier honk-a-tonk (1894), of unknown origin. As a type of music played in that sort of low saloon, it is attested from 1933.
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=honky-tonk
by -Ben 10- on May 3rd, 2008
A honky tonk is a type of bar with musical entertainment common in the Southwestern and Southern United States, also called honkatonks, honkey-tonks, tonks or tunks.
It is associated with various styles of american music.
For more info please refer:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honky_tonk
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Comments
Wow, I didn't know the word "honly" was that old.
by Tallyman on May 3rd, 2008
I can remember my parents going to a bar on the outskirts of town on a Saturday night to dance and it was named the Aztec but was called a "honky tonk." I was about 5 or 6 and that was 60 years ago.
by shammers still slogging along on May 3rd, 2008