humming
Preserved but no longer current.
Meaning · English
Strong as applied to drink. Extra strong ale is often characterized as "HUMMING October." Maybe from its effect on heads not quite so strong.
Era: ca. 1874 (Victorian)
Where it’s used:
Origin
British & Irish English
Sources & notes
Historical definition reproduced from Hotten’s The Slang Dictionary (1874, public domain; Project Gutenberg #42108, retrieved 2026-07-31). Reflects the attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “humming” mean?
Strong as applied to drink. Extra strong ale is often characterized as "HUMMING October." Maybe from its effect on heads not quite so strong.
Is “humming” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.