New Podcast Posting: Bawlmer's Hons

Because of its location and history, Baltimore offers a rare blend of Northern and Southern traditions. The result is a unique local culture.

Some things distinctively Baltimore include blue crabs, rowhouses, H.L. Mencken, lacrosse and Corned Beef Row.

Yet another is a Hon.

The term Hon is a friendly Baltimore greeting ("Hey, Hon") and comes from the word honey. But over the years it has also come to be known to represent a working class Baltimore of the 1950’s-1970’s to be found in neighborhoods such as Hamden, Canton and Highlandtown. In those days it was not uncommon to see women there dressed in bright, printed dresses with outdated galsses and beehive hairdos.

Honfest is annual festival held in the Hamden neighborhood of Baltimore. Started in 1994 as a local celebration of the Baltimore lifestyle and stereotype, it has since become a tope event.

In this Conversation on the Road, we speak with Denise Whiting of the Hon Cafe about Hons, Honfest, “Miss Hon” and of Baltimore’s distinctive popular culture.

At:
http://conversationsontheroad.com/