Humdinger

I cannot imagine any circumstance under which I would use the term Humdinger. The Oxford English says that it means ‘a remarkable or outstanding person or thing of its kind’ and that it originates in the early 20th century in America. (Although I did find reference to it in the Daily Enterprise of June 4, 1883, in Livingston, Montana). It just doesn’t sound like a word related to something remarkable or outstanding.

Luckily I came across the following from The Institute of Australian Culture:

The Price of Meat
The price of meat can only be reduced by the sale of inferior cattle. — News item.

The bull-stag leaned against the post,
Too poor was he to walk,
And as the butcher sharp’d his knife
The beast began to talk.

“Misguided man,” the bull-stag said,
“Don’t perpetrate this crime;
You’ll sell me to your customers,
And kid them that I’m prime......

It goes on for another 9 depressing stanzas. The editor of the article in the Institute notes that:
‘This poem, by “Humdinger”, was published in Smith’s Weekly (Sydney, NSW), 21 February 1920. The poem is also known as “The Old Bull Stag”. Smith's Weekly was an Australian tabloid newspaper published from 1919 to 1950. It was an independent weekly published in Sydney, but read all over Australia.’ I can’t find who ‘Humdinger’ was.

I don’t think anything has changed and that’s another reason for not eating meat.

Perhaps a more pleasurable use of the word is the following from the Joseph Holt Brewery based in Manchester founded in 1849 with a brewery from 1860. They describe Humdinger as a multi-award winning speciality ale.

‘Pouring a deep, golden colour with wafts of sweet honey. The enticing scent comes from the Mexican aroma honey which comes through in subtle undertones and balances impeccably with the traditional bitter notes and malt. Humdinger first came to life after winning a top brewing competition in 2004.

Full of character and flavour, the use of fine English malt and citrus whole hops lead to a well-rounded, lightly hopped and satisfyingly refreshing ale. It’s lightly carbonated, smooth and brewed at 4.1%, making it an ideal choice for a laid-back evening or day session.’

It sounds delicious and I’d only make one comment which is one I’d use for many beers and wines. At 4.1% I’d only need drink a couple to end an evening fairly quickly and as for a day session I’d be asleep within an hour. Why not brew something about the 2% level. That would keep me coasting at a pleasant level.

With a pleasant symmetry I also came across a company called Humdinger, originally from Hull, that as they say ‘focuses primarily on the nuts, seeds and dried fruit markets and are proud to support a community of farmers and growers from all over the world. This is a mutually beneficial partnership which ensures the quality, integrity and sustainability of every product we make.’ A combination to match perfectly with the beer.

This is a Crackerjack and as it’s near enough to Burns Night:

O Gude Ale Comes and Gude Ale Goes

O gude ale comes and gude ale goes,
Gude ale gars me sell my hose,
Sell my hose, and pawn my shoon,
Gude ale keeps my heart aboon.

I had sax owsen in a pleugh,
They drew a' weel eneugh,
I sald them a', ane by ane,
Gude ale keeps my heart aboon.

Gude ale hauds me bare and busy,
Gars me moop wi' the servant hizzie,
Stand i' the stool when I hae done,
Gude ale keeps my heart aboon.

O gude ale comes and gude ale goes,
Gude ale gars me sell my hose,
Sell my hose, and pawn my shoon,
Gude ale keeps my heart aboon.

                                              by Robert Burns, 1795

Thanks for reading, Terry Q.