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Discussion Forum—A Way with Words, a fun radio show and podcast about language

A Way with Words, a radio show and podcast about language and linguistics.

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huckleberry
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1
2009/12/10 - 12:20pm

is there a possibility that this word could be used pejoratively as "dumb" fool" or any other meaning besides a common fruit? . For instance H.D Thoreau says he ..."joined a huckleberry party...." In some others parts I've read things like ..."I,m your huckleberry" thank you all.

EmmettRedd
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2
2009/12/10 - 1:17pm

The OED says:

3. A person, spec. (derog.) a person of little consequence.

[1835 Gent's. Vade-Mecum (Philadelphia) 22 Aug. 2/4 Orson, the wild man of the woods is nothing to himnot a circumstancenot a huckleberry.] 1868 New Eng. Base Ballist 3 Sept. 17/1 Now then, my huckleberry, look sharp! you're wrong! 1889 ‘MARK TWAIN' Connecticut Yankee 338 The Saracen..is no huckleberry.

Perhaps you should submit H.D. Thoreau's passages to OED. They update their sources periodically.

Emmett

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3
2009/12/11 - 8:01am

In the movie "Tombstone" Doc Holliday (played by Val Kilmer) often says, "I'm your huckleberry". I always wondered what that meant. He says it with such a great drawl that it's fun to quote.

Guest
4
2009/12/11 - 8:30am

Michael Quinion has a good response:
I'm your huckleberry.

What it means is easy enough. To be one's huckleberry — usually as the phrase I'm your huckleberry — is to be just the right person for a given job, or a willing executor of some commission. Where it comes from needs a bit more explaining.

First a bit of botanical history. …

Guest
5
2009/12/11 - 2:25pm

The other Doc Holliday quote was, "You're a daisy if you do". What does that mean?

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