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A honey dipper is a kitchen utensil used to collect viscous liquid (generally honey) from a container, which it then exudes to another location. It is often made of turned wood. Besides the handle, the tool consists of equally-spaced concentric (coaxial) grooves.
Contents
One method of using the tool is to dip the grooved spiral end into the liquid, then slowly twirl the handle between the thumb and fingers while in transport, to prevent dripping. It is commonly used to drizzle honey on bread, biscuits, or other foods of that nature. The tool is sometimes made of plastic.
In popular culture
The mascot of Honey Nut Cheerios, "BuzzBee", has carried various incarnations of honey dippers. Winnie-the-Pooh toys by Mattel have featured a honey dipper alongside the bear.
Alternative term usage
Since the 1920s the term "honey dipper" has been used as a term of disparagement for the workers who empty septic tanks, clean latrines, or do similar work. This is presumably derived from the vacuum truck known colloquially as a honeywagon. There are many other terms for people doing this work; see the history of manual scavenging and the history of sanitation.