Hunkey is a general term to describe european immigrant workers at the turn of the Century. It started as a collective term by Bohemian, Hungarian, and Polish workers in the meat district of Chicago as „bohungs“. African-American workers borrowed the phrase and shortened first to „hungs“ and later to „hunks“ due to the easier pronunciation of voiceless Velar (K instead G). After work these men hung at Bars which had a Piano made by Mr. Tunk, thusly the „honkeytunk bar“ name originated. Die erste logische Erklärung, die ich je – bei Urban Dictionary – gefunden habe. Wobei Mr. Tunk jedoch Tonk hieß!
Tonk had the fonk!