A very disparaging word of contempt used by "American society" (from 1850s to today, much diminished, but sadly still in current use)to refer to Eastern European immigrants in the steel industry. It was the equivalent of
the "N" word for black Americans. In its time, Hunky meant stupid, ugly, drunken, lazy, dirty,
sullen, immoral people, only good for the most unskilled jobs, cleaning women or prostitutes. When the mills broke up, and people scattered, the word became less widely used, lingers mostly in Pittsburgh area. Some descendants refer to themselves as
Hunkies with a defiant pride.
No wonder our kids can't get into college, ever Hunky wants to send theirs. (an actual
quote heard in
the late 60s)
