funky2
[fuhng-kee]
- Jazz. having an earthy, blues-based quality or character.
- having an offensive smell; evil-smelling; foul.
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Origin of funky2
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for funkiness
Historical Examples
This waste of time and effort was largely due to funkiness on my part, and there was no necessity for it.
Down the ColumbiaLewis R. Freeman
funky1
- (of music) passionate, soulful; of or pertaining to funk
- authentic; earthy
- stylish and exciting; coolfunky jeans
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Word Origin
C20: from funk ², perhaps alluding to music that was smelly, that is, earthy (like the early blues)
funky2
- slang, mainly US evil-smelling; foul
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Word Origin
C18: from funk ²
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for funkiness
funky
adj.
1784, "old, musty," in reference to cheeses, then "repulsive," from funk (n.2) + -y (2). It began to develop an approving sense in jazz slang c.1900, probably on the notion of "earthy, strong, deeply felt." Funky also was used early 20c. by white writers in reference to body odor allegedly peculiar to blacks. The word reached wider popularity c.1954 (e.g. definition in "Time" magazine, Nov. 8, 1954) and in the 1960s acquired a broad slang sense of "fine, stylish, excellent."
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper