A honey dipper (also called a honey dripper, honey wand, honey stick, honey spoon, or honey drizzler) is a kitchen utensil used to collect viscous liquid (generally honey or syrup) from a container, which is then dispensed at another location.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/85/18-03-25-K%C3%BCchenutensil-DSCF1427.jpg/300px-18-03-25-K%C3%BCchenutensil-DSCF1427.jpg)
Description
editThe tool is often made of turned wood.[1] Besides the handle, the tool consists of equally spaced grooves.[2] Often, the grooves descend in circumference on each new groove.
The utensil is sometimes made of plastic,[3] stainless steel, silver-plated brass, silicone, ceramic, hardened velvet, wood, cardboard, glass, or uranium glass.[4] Some users prefer wood or another soft material, which is less likely to chip a glass or porcelain cup.[4]
Use
editOne method of using the tool is to dip the grooved end into the liquid, rotate the handle into a horizontal position,[4] then slowly twirl the handle between the thumb and fingers while in transport, as the concentric grooves help to minimize dripping.[5] When the twirling motion is stopped, the honey will collect on the lower parts of the tool and drip off, thus dispensing the honey.
The tool is commonly used to drizzle honey on bread, biscuits, or other foods of that nature.[3]
In popular culture
editThe mascot of Honey Nut Cheerios, "BuzzBee", has carried various incarnations of honey dippers.[6] Winnie-the-Pooh toys by Mattel have featured a honey dipper alongside the bear.[7]
Alternative term usage
editSince the 1920s, the term "honey dipper" has been used as a term of disparagement for the workers who empty septic tanks, clean latrines, and do similar work.[8][note 1]
Notes
edit- ^ There are many other terms for people doing this work; see the history of manual scavenging and the history of sanitation.
References
edit- ^ Pierce, Kerry (2002). The Wood Stash Project Book. Popular Woodworking Books. p. 41, Project 5: Two Honey Dippers. ISBN 1558706003.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Langton, David; Cambell, Anita (2011). Visual Marketing. John Wiley and Sons Inc. 46. New Beverage Design Creates Buzz- Why It Works. ISBN 9781118035672.
- ^ a b Underwood, Hillary (December 8, 1999). "Cook's Toys". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. p. E1 Cuisine. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
- ^ a b c Burlew, Rusty (February 4, 2018). "The design of the honey dipper: from primitive to practical". Honey Bee Suite. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
- ^ Berger, J.A. (June 7, 2005). "Gadget quiz answers". Journal Sentinel. Journal Sentinel Inc. pp. 9,12 First-Time Home Buyers. Archived from the original on May 10, 2016. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
- ^ Sources that show a honey dipper has been carried by the Honey Nut Cheerios mascot:
- Neudorf, Samantha (November 4, 2015). "'Star Wars'-Themed Cereal Boxes Will Be Available for a Limited Time". The Daily Meal. Spanfeller Media Group, Inc. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
- Rys, Dan (August 14, 2013). "Nelly Is In The Newest Commercial For Honey Nut Cheerios Called 'Bee Got Swag'". XXL Magazine. Townsquare Media. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
- ^ "Disney- Mattel". Observer-Reporter. FAO Schwarz. November 7, 1999. p. 43, Toys "R" Us. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
- ^
Sources for the alternative slang meaning of "honey dipper":
- Green, Jonathan (2005). Cassell's Dictionary of Slang (Second ed.). Weidenfeld and Nicolson. p. 732, honey·dipper. ISBN 0304366366.
- Dalzell, Tom; Vicotor, Terry (2013). The New Partridge Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English (Second ed.). Routledge. p. 1169, honey dipper. ISBN 9780415619493.
External links
edit- The dictionary definition of honey dipper at Wiktionary