The tutor brings up a term from folk vocabulary.

It’s not a word I hear often these days – humdinger. I get the impression it’s from the farming days.

Webster defines humdinger as “a person or thing of striking excellence.” By that definition, a great birthday cake could be called a humdinger.

My understanding of the meaning of humdinger is that it’s a person who is excellent, and knows it. The person likely behaves accordingly. However, I perceive a humdinger as someone who’s playful about acting out their excellent quality (or qualities).

Whose definition do you prefer?

Source:

Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 2004.

Jack of Oracle Tutoring by Jack and Diane, Campbell River, BC.