The origin of "I'll Be Your Huckelberry"?

Factual Questions
1

Heard this in a movie and then in a song on the same day. The movie was Tombstone and the song was some country song by Toby Keith (I think). Anyway, I was just wondering if anyone knew what exactly this means and where it originated from.

Thanks.

2

I think Cecil has covered it, but can’t find it.

This might help: http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-huc1.htm

3

might have been covered but I couldn’t find anything on it. I tried the link you suggested but can’t connect right now. Guess I’ll try again in the morning.

Thanks for the help. Maybe if Cecil did cover it somebody else might remember where the info is at (fingers are crossed).

THanks.

4

I don’t know the origin, but it’s another name for a special friend. The song “Moon River” refers to it also.

5

that it was something like a person who was willing to take a chance with you (or against you). I don’t know. The song (which I found again thanks to the Net) is Toby Keith. THe line goes:

“Baby I’ll be you huckleberry
You won’t have to double dare me …”

Something about a first kiss in a shack on the side of the road.

Thanks for the help so far everyone.

6

The word detective says this:
Word Detective

7

Johnn Mercer, who wrote the lyrics to “Moon River” has admitted to having no idea what the phrase “my huckleberry friend” means. He coined it solely to fit the rhythm, and if it had any meaning before that, he was unaware of it.

According to the OED, the first cite with the meaning of “sweetheart” was from 1946. There’s a second cite from 1951 from a journal of american dialects, so it’s quite likely Mercer was unfamiliar with the term as he has said. (There was also an old proverbial phrase “I’ll be a huckleberry to your persimmon” which dates to 1832, but which mean “I’m better than you.”)

8

Here’s one huckleberry friend.

9

The now-defuct word maven’s say this:
Word Maven

10

I got my question answered and got some new links also.

Thanks again.