I didn't know this (I am sure Solomon did)...i found this on IMDB when researching something else:

When the show first started George constantly referred to Tom as a honky. After a few seasons Sherman Hemsley asked the writers to stop having George call him that, as he felt that the characters were friends and he felt George would not use a racist term on a friend. When the writers refused to stop Hemsley simply mumbled the the word every time he said it, forcing re-shoots. Eventually the writers stopped using the word.



Interesting to know.

I didn't know this (I am sure Solomon did)...i found this on IMDB when researching something else:

When the show first started George constantly referred to Tom as a honky. After a few seasons Sherman Hemsley asked the writers to stop having George call him that, as he felt that the characters were friends and he felt George would not use a racist term on a friend. When the writers refused to stop Hemsley simply mumbled the the word every time he said it, forcing re-shoots. Eventually the writers stopped using the word.



Interesting to know.


Interesting factoid. Sherman did have a point though.

Interesting factoid. Sherman did have a point though.
Yes he did have a good point. I respect him for standing up for his beliefs and what is right. Although, I did find it so damn funny when he yelled out "HONKY".:lol:

The word Honkey wasn't used anymore after the 1981-82 season

The word Honkey wasn't used anymore after the 1981-82 season
Because Sherman was mumbling the word. He got his point across to the writers. Good for Sherman.

Because Sherman was mumbling the word. He got his point across to the writers. Good for Sherman.


I have a 1982 Fall Preview in Jet Magazine and inside the article it says-"George will no longer make racial slurs" Statement by the producers

I have a 1982 Fall Preview in Jet Magazine and inside the article it says-"George will no longer make racial slurs" Statement by the producers
Ok. So this just verifies what was stated on IMDB.

Ok. So this just verifies what was stated on IMDB.


Not really, I don't have any sources backing up that Sherman mummbled Honkey

Not really, I don't have any sources backing up that Sherman mummbled Honkey
I don't get what you are saying...

I don't get what you are saying...


I wasn';t backing up what you read on IMDB.com, i was just sharing some other information I had in regards to the word "honkey"

I wasn';t backing up what you read on IMDB.com, i was just sharing some other information I had in regards to the word "honkey"
Oh, ok, adding information. I wasn't sure what you were saying.

Oh, ok, adding information. I wasn't sure what you were saying.


Yeah just sharing what I HAD on the Topic-lol

I've heard what Irene stated and my source is THS.

I've heard what Irene stated and my source is THS.


There wasn't a true Hollywood story of the Jeffersons, only the trurh behind Sitcoms and it was not mentioned on there either. I wish yall stop paying attention to those websites without sources-lol

There wasn't a true Hollywood story of the Jeffersons, only the trurh behind Sitcoms and it was not mentioned on there either. I wish yall stop paying attention to those websites without sources-lol
Well, the word "honky" was eventually no longer used, so there must be a reason for it. The one I listed sounds damn pretty good to me. When I take a trip to the farmer's market by CBS or Sherman Oaks and run into Sherman, I will be sure to ask him that. :lol:

I didn't know this (I am sure Solomon did)...i found this on IMDB when researching something else:

When the show first started George constantly referred to Tom as a honky. After a few seasons Sherman Hemsley asked the writers to stop having George call him that, as he felt that the characters were friends and he felt George would not use a racist term on a friend. When the writers refused to stop Hemsley simply mumbled the the word every time he said it, forcing re-shoots. Eventually the writers stopped using the word.



Interesting to know.
That was the first time I ever knew whites were called Honkey. My sister told me once that if a person calls us a raicel name they call us white trash.

That was the first time I ever knew whites were called Honkey. My sister told me once that if a person calls us a raicel name they call us white trash.


I think Honkey was used in the ghetto by blacks. Just like today in the ghetto they say CRACKER

This seemed to be more of a '70s thing to me, like "goes toot toot like a prostitute, goes tweet tweet like Sesame Street" and other things that entered popular consciousness. It reminds me of "jive turkey," which remained in use for many, many years.

This seemed to be more of a '70s thing to me, like "goes toot toot like a prostitute, goes tweet tweet like Sesame Street" and other things that entered popular consciousness. It reminds me of "jive turkey," which remained in use for many, many years.
Steve Martin also used that word in his song King Tut and I thought using the word Cracker originated in the South. I agree that using the word Honky was a 70s thing and shouldn't be use ever again.

Defintely a term for that time period.

Steve Martin also used that word in his song King Tut and I thought using the word Cracker originated in the South. I agree that using the word Honky was a 70s thing and shouldn't be use ever again.

I was just thinking about those King Tut lyrics:

"Buried with a donkey;
he's my favorite honky"

I didn't realize the word is very widely considered offensive; certainly I don't think many would place it in the same category as the "n" word!

I wanted to also mention the use of "whitey" on All in the Family; remember the refrigerator repair episode (Ken Lynch guests)? In Archie's recollection, the assistant says to him regarding the old fridge:

"Hey whitey... Did it come in a horse and wagon?"

I was just thinking about those King Tut lyrics:

"Buried with a donkey;
he's my favorite honky"

I didn't realize the word is very widely considered offensive; certainly I don't think many would place it in the same category as the "n" word!

I wanted to also mention the use of "whitey" on All in the Family; remember the refrigerator repair episode (Ken Lynch guests)? In Archie's recollection, the assistant says to him regarding the old fridge:

"Hey whitey... Did it come in a horse and wagon?"




I don't consider the N-word or Honky offensive.

I don't consider the N-word or Honky offensive.
If the N-word comes from a white person, it is offensive. But when a black person says it to another person it isn't. It is how is said and who says it.

If the N-word comes from a white person, it is offensive. But when a black person says it to another person it isn't. It is how is said and who says it.


I'm Black and would never be offended if a white called me the N-word

Once Georgie and Tom became friends, they dropped that. Sherman Helmsey felt that it was time for hang up that word. He was right.

Once Georgie and Tom became friends, they dropped that. Sherman Helmsey felt that it was time for hang up that word. He was right.


And then he went from calling him Honky to Fat :lol: :lol: :lol:

That is funnier.

I'm white and never ever herd of Honky before the show. I always herd white trash. Sherman asked the producers if he could stop saying that because he didn't like the word but they said no. That's why I herd. I would never be hurt if somebody called me a honky or white trash. First I don't feel I am white trash and it just shows what a jerk the person is for saying it. And I'm 60 years old and have never been called a racial name.

I'm white and never ever herd of Honky before the show. I always herd white trash. Sherman asked the producers if he could stop saying that because he didn't like the word but they said no. That's why I herd. I would never be hurt if somebody called me a honky or white trash. First I don't feel I am white trash and it just shows what a jerk the person is for saying it. And I'm 60 years old and have never been called a racial name.


Honky always sounded stupid to me

Today it sounds very stupid.

I never knew jive turkey was racist. So how did George say honky if he mumbled it? How did it come out during the actual episode?


I actually found out 2 interesting things just on this thread alone. First, Solomon, was your old handle on here, TVResearcher?

Second, I didnt know you were African-American.

Today honky is white trash or redneck.

Jive turkey wasn't racist I don't think? It was a 70's term but I never knew it was racist! I thought it was a showoff type person who wasn't as cool as he thought he was!

Today honky is white trash or redneck.

Jive turkey wasn't racist I don't think? It was a 70's term but I never knew it was racist! I thought it was a showoff type person who wasn't as cool as he thought he was!


Jive Turkey was what black people said to each other in 70's