How Do You Spell HOP PICKER?

Pronunciation: [hˈɒp pˈɪkə] (IPA)

The word "hop picker" is spelled with a /h/ sound followed by the diphthong /ɒʊ/ (like the word "how") and ending with a voiceless /p/ sound. The first syllable, "hop", is spelled as it sounds and refers to the plant used to make beer. The second syllable, "picker", is spelled with a double /p/ and a /k/ sound, which reflects its etymology from the Old English word "picerian" meaning "to pluck" or "to pick." Hop pickers are seasonal workers who harvest hop plants during the late summer months.

HOP PICKER Meaning and Definition

1. A hop picker refers to an individual who engages in the process of picking hops. This term predominantly pertains to the seasonal occupation associated with the harvest of hops, which are flowers of the hop plant used in various brewing processes.

   A hop picker is typically employed during the hop-picking season, which occurs in late summer or early autumn. Their primary responsibility involves manually plucking the hop cones from the bines while ensuring the quality and ripeness of the harvested material. Hop picking requires meticulous attention to detail and careful handling to avoid damaging the delicate cones.

   Historically, hop picking was a labor-intensive task that often required large numbers of workers to complete the harvest within a short time frame. Hop pickers would typically be hired or enlisted from nearby towns and villages, temporarily residing in designated hop fields or hop gardens for the duration of the harvest.

   Additionally, hop picking often served as a social and cultural event, bringing together families and communities to work collectively in the fields. It provided an opportunity for individuals to earn a seasonal income and socialize with fellow pickers. The tradition of hop picking has persisted in some regions, particularly in rural areas with a rich agricultural heritage.

   In contemporary times, hop picking has become more mechanized with the development of harvesting machinery. However, the term hop picker persists to describe those involved in the manual picking process, symbolizing a connection to the historical and cultural significance of the occupation.

Common Misspellings for HOP PICKER

• hoppicker

Etymology of HOP PICKER

The word "hop picker" is derived from the verb "to pick", which means to select or gather. In this context, "hop" refers to a plant called hops, specifically Humulus lupulus, which is primarily used in the brewing industry. Hop pickers are people who pick or harvest these hop flowers or cones from the hop plants during the harvesting season. The term "hop picker" originated in the mid-19th century when hop cultivation became more widespread, particularly in regions like England and later in North America.