Hubba hubba - Appalachian Trail

imported
#1

I’m reading Earl Shaffer’s account of his 1948 thru-hike, in his book “Walking With Spring.” Since Earl Shaffer is believed to be the first person to thru-hike the AT, I think I’ve stumbled upon the first instance of town people slighting a grungy thru-hiker:

“About noon the trail crossed a road gap, probably the site of Southern’s Store, mentioned in early guidebooks, and entered a picnic area near a reservoir. Just then four girls came strolling over a rise ahead. The were identically dressed in snowy blouses and long black ‘new look’ skirts, a very charming foursome. My T-shirt, grey pants, helter-skelter hair, and sweaty face were definitely not as stylish. They passed quite sedately, but one of them muttered what sounded like ‘hubba hubba.’”

steve hiker

#2

Steve,I read the book and loved it,especially the part about the girl and her comment about him.When I played HS football we had a guy on the team with that nickname"Hubba Hubba".Oddly enough,the cheerleaders named him…Wonder why?:wink:

Bill Harris

#3

I thought “hubba hubba” was a good thing you say when you see a hottie?

mojo jojo

#4

yes but in earl’s case it was the irony of the situation, like naming a 300 lb linebacker “Tiny”

RockyTrail

#5

In those days, Hubba Hubba was a very good compliment. Today they would have something like : What a hottie (sp).

Hubba Hubba was not a slight just the opposite

Waterboy 99

#6

Actually Mojo Jojo,Waterboy 99.Your’er both right,it was a good compliment back then for a guy or gal to say to each other.Not a guy to guy thing to say to each other,not that there’s anything wrong with it.Looking at photos of Earl Shaffer back then,he was a lean and mean hiking machine and deserved the compliment.
The middle of March, sooooooo good luck to everyone hiking the AT.
:cheers To All you Hubba Hubbas.

Bill Harris

#7

Looks like y’all are right. From the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (Fourth Ed. 2000):

hubba-hubba

hub·ba-hub·ba

Slang Used to express approval, pleasure, or excitement.

So, the girl was muttering about his “gear.”

BTW on a recent section hike I saw this girl in a lime green top, nicely filled, and tight silvery blue pants (spandex?). Talked to her for a few minutes near the fire tower and couldn’t help muttering to myself afterward. Hubba Hubba!

steve hiker

#8

Steve,great description of your Hubba Hubba sighting during your section hike.Your’er right,maybe our cheerleaders knew something back then, about old Hubba Hubba’s “gear”.:wink:

Bill Harris