different between humdrum vs stodgy

English

Etymology

Possible reduplication of hum, 1550s.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?h?md??m/

Adjective

humdrum (comparative more humdrum, superlative most humdrum)

1. Lacking variety or excitement; dull; boring.

   Synonyms: see Thesaurus:boring

   • 1999, Lucy Honig, The Truly Needy And Other Stories, University of Pittsburgh Press (?ISBN), page 89:

     He suggested cusk, because he knew they would have it. She had never heard of cusk. “Doesn't it sound exotic!” she said. “Exotic indeed!” he laughed, and almost told her what a humdrum fish it really was, but stopped himself.

Translations

Noun

humdrum (countable and uncountable, plural humdrums)

1. (uncountable) The quality of lacking variety or excitement.

   Synonyms: dullness, monotony

   • 2010, Clare Vanderpool, Moon Over Manifest

     I think it helped distract us from the dry, humdrum, and heat of the here and now.

2. (countable, dated) A stupid fellow.
   • 1834, Elizabeth Frances Dagley, The Young Seer, Or Early Searches Into Futurity (page 103)

     So, after settling it that Mr. and Mrs. Wilson were complete country humdrums, the daughters hoydens, the sons awkward half-dandies, and the company altogether any thing but agreeable, she came to a conclusion she had done fifty times before, that the country was not like London.

Translations

English

Etymology

Unknown, but possibly from stodge (“to stuff”), from stog, or a blend of stuffy +? podgy.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) enPR: st??j?, IPA^(key): /?st?.d??i/
• Rhymes: -?d?i

Adjective

stodgy (comparative stodgier or more stodgy, superlative stodgiest or most stodgy)

1. (of food) Having a thick, semi-solid consistency; glutinous; heavy on the stomach.
2. Dull, old-fashioned.
   • 2013, Daniel Taylor, Rickie Lambert's debut goal gives England victory over Scotland (in The Guardian, 14 August 2013)[1]

     The Southampton striker, who also struck a post late on, was being serenaded by the Wembley crowd before the end and should probably brace himself for some Lambert-mania over the coming days but, amid the eulogies, it should not overlook the deficiencies that were evident in another stodgy England performance.

   • 1915, W.S. Maugham, "Of Human Bondage":

     "What's the matter with you?" -- "Nothing. I'm sorry to be so damned emotional, but for six months I've been starved for beauty." -- "You used to be so matter of fact. It's very interesting to hear you say that." -- "Damn it all, I don't want to be interesting," laughed Philip. "Let's go and have a stodgy tea."

3. (dated) Badly put together.

Derived terms

• stodgily
• stodginess

Translations