What it means
If something’s honking, it’s absolutely disgusting. Usually it means it reeks, but folk also use it for anything manky, grim, or hard to stomach, like a filthy kitchen, rotten food, brutal weather, or somebody’s pure rotten vibe. It’s a proper Scottish put-down for stuff that’s gone past merely nasty.
Usage examples
"Walked into that pub and it was honking, pure boggin, toilets overflowing and the carpet reeking. Skelped my pint and legged it."
"The bins hadn't been out for a fortnight and the whole close was honking by the weekend."
"Don't put that honking gym kit back in the bag, it needs a wash before it walks off on its own."
"That fridge is honking, chuck the milk before it starts a war in there."
"His trainers were honking after five-a-side, whole hallway got hit with it."
Other ways to say it
Editors of this term
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