hunky-dory
[huhng-kee-dawr-ee, -dohr-ee]
- about as well as one could wish or expect; satisfactory; fine; OK.
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Origin of hunky-dory
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
fairdecentsufficientrespectablecommonadequatetolerableneatterrificmarvelousfirst-ratesplendidniftygratifyingsatisfyingenjoyableacceptabledelightfulpleasantmildExamples from the Web for hunky-dory
Contemporary Examples
The NCAA even got in on the act, and—quelle surprise—also determined that everything was hunky-dory.
So all is now hunky-dory between London and Tripoli now the bomber is back in the bosom of his family.
Historical Examples
We kin fix that all hunky-dory, an' Johnson, he won't neveh know.
Old Man CurryCharles E. (Charles Emmett) Van Loan
Said to go to bed and get a good sleep and I'd be all hunky-dory in the morning.
The Night-BornJack London
But you seem to be feeling all hunky-dory again, and why don't you come join us in the Good Citizens' League, old man?
BabbittSinclair Lewis
Without leaving the boat, fishing arm-deep into the brush, he announced, "All hunky-dory."
Dutch Courage and Other StoriesJack London
You're all right, and the spot is hunky-dory, and it's the durned old boat hez made the mistake, begosh!
The Jimmyjohn Boss and Other StoriesOwen Wister
hunky-dory
- informal very satisfactory; fine
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Word Origin
C20: of uncertain origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for hunky-dory
adj.
1866, American English (popularized c.1870 by a Christy Minstrel song), perhaps a reduplication of hunkey "all right, satisfactory" (1861), from hunk "in a safe position" (1847) New York City slang, from Dutch honk "goal, home," from Middle Dutch honc "place of refuge, hiding place." A theory from 1876, however, traces it to Honcho dori, said to be a street in Yokohama, Japan, where sailors went for diversions of the sort sailors enjoy.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper