# Why do men dislike Inglebert Humperdink ?

**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-dislike-inglebert-humperdink/103190
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [April 12, 2002, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-dislike-inglebert-humperdink/103190 "2002-04-12T07:35:09Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![deeward](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f9b8f/32.png) [@deeward](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deeward)
#### Post date: [April 12, 2002, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-dislike-inglebert-humperdink/103190/1 "2002-04-12T07:35:09Z")

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I meyself do not think this question belongs on this board, but am afraid that if I put in on the “question” boards somebody will reject it as worthwhile discussing.

As I see it, the question about men and Englebert Humperdink is worthy as psychological issue; of psychological study, beleive it or not.

in my 50 years of life I have have been taken with a few men. One is Englebert Humperdink. To me, he is rather a mystery.

BUT,…almost every man who responds to the mention of his name is negative about him. Some act as if they HATE him.

Can this be understood?

Dee

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### Author: ![syncrolecyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f08c70/32.png) [@syncrolecyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/syncrolecyne)
#### Post date: [April 12, 2002, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-dislike-inglebert-humperdink/103190/2 "2002-04-12T08:08:43Z")

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Reason 1. His name is Englebert Humperdinck  
Reason 2. His scmaltzy “Please Release Me” took the number one spot from the Beatles’ “Strawberry Fields FOrever/Penny Lane” the most innovative double A side single ever.  
Reason 3. His name is Englebert Humperdinck

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### Author: ![manwithaplan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f1d935/32.png) [@manwithaplan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manwithaplan)
#### Post date: [April 12, 2002, 9:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-dislike-inglebert-humperdink/103190/3 "2002-04-12T09:57:07Z")

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Cuate,

I hate to point this out but it’s actually Eng **el** bert.

Deeward,

I’m with you. He’s no poor man’s Tom Jones in my book. Nobody ever sings Strawberry Fields in my local but Please Release Me is second only to Sweet Caroline in the pissed-up playlist. However, if you were talking about the Hansel and Gretel guy, I HATE his guts.

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### Author: ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)
#### Post date: [April 12, 2002, 10:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-dislike-inglebert-humperdink/103190/4 "2002-04-12T10:15:31Z")

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After all these years, my memory’s starting to conflate Tom Jones and Engelbert Humperdinck, when it brings them to the surface at all. But it seems that with the aid of the reminders in this thread, I can still tell them apart. Barely.

It’s not just that they’re sappy, which they are. It’s their florid, overblown vocal styles that really make them offensive. (And I don’t think this is _just_ a guy thing, though it does seem that - as is the case with Barry Manilow, who is IMHO less offensive than either of these two - most of what small fan base they still have is overwhelmingly female.) We can match Engelbert’s

_Please release me, let me go  
for I don’t love you anymore_

with Tom Jones’

_My, my, Delilah,  
why, why, Delilah?_

And now that I’ve brought those songs more clearly to mind, I’d better check into the Witness Protection Program. The lynch mob will undoubtedly be gathering soon.

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### Author: ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)
#### Post date: [April 12, 2002, 10:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-dislike-inglebert-humperdink/103190/5 "2002-04-12T10:43:11Z")

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I hate Humperdinck because he tried to come between Wesley and Buttercup.

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### Author: ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)
#### Post date: [April 12, 2002, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-dislike-inglebert-humperdink/103190/6 "2002-04-12T12:43:12Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by deeward \*  
> \*\*I meyself do not think this question belongs on this board, but am afraid that if I put in on the “question” boards somebody will reject it as worthwhile discussing. \*\*

It’s not too difficult, really. Read the forum descriptions.

Hey, what have we here?  
[“What’s your favorite …?” For frank exchanges of views on less-than-cosmic topics. This is also the place for polling.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/index.php)

Off to IMHO!

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### Author: ![white-tigeress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f475e1/32.png) [@white-tigeress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/white-tigeress)
#### Post date: [April 12, 2002, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-dislike-inglebert-humperdink/103190/7 "2002-04-12T12:51:50Z")

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I actually think is it Englebert and not Ingel.

Sorry but had to clarify that 🙂

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### Author: ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)
#### Post date: [April 12, 2002, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-dislike-inglebert-humperdink/103190/8 "2002-04-12T12:55:30Z")

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We’re dismayed by his shaky grasp of economic reality.

In the time it takes ONE fan to request “the latest hit recording by Engelbert Humperdinck,” FOUR can call for the new “Tom Jones.”

[sub]Thanx and a tip of the hat to CRACKED Magazine; christ but it’s amazing the weird old stuff I remember[/sub]

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### Author: ![deeward](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f9b8f/32.png) [@deeward](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deeward)
#### Post date: [April 12, 2002, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-dislike-inglebert-humperdink/103190/9 "2002-04-12T23:47:44Z")

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Geez- - -

You guys don’t mind hurting my feelings do you?

I suppose my liking “Hump” makes me a bird of the feather too?

You men responded just as I thought you would,…BUT,…BUT,…  
the thing that you don’t realize, and that tickles me, is that , for all your off-the-cuff reasons for disliking Engelbert, you STILL don’t realize why you “hate” him!!!

You are just groping for reasons off the top of your heads and havn’t taken the time to REALLY understand why you dislike Hump.

I said it was a psychological study and I still say it is.

I MUST say more about this. Just when you are hungering and anxious to put this down as so much meaningless blather, it may (and should) dawn on you that we are talking about human nature.

And Ukelele Ike , is YOUR nature human?

How about some straight talk, as John McCain would put it, on Straight Dope? And if you insist on being witty; be witty BEFORE you drink.

I MUST say more about this! Humor me; I needs to say more; it’s like I have a little tight feeling I must releive, or get hard to handle.  
LOVE, Dee

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### Author: ![Ringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)
#### Post date: [April 13, 2002, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-dislike-inglebert-humperdink/103190/10 "2002-04-13T00:32:44Z")

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It’s his socks. Can’t stand 'em. Why can’t a swoon-meister wear manly socks?

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### Author: ![Drastic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Drastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drastic)
#### Post date: [April 13, 2002, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-dislike-inglebert-humperdink/103190/11 "2002-04-13T00:35:05Z")

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Because he’s dead.

::nods::

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### Author: ![deeward](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f9b8f/32.png) [@deeward](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deeward)
#### Post date: [April 13, 2002, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-dislike-inglebert-humperdink/103190/12 "2002-04-13T01:22:32Z")

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What’s “manly socks”?

I get the jest, but do not know manly socks when I see them…or whatever.

As I said I MUST talk more about this! It’s killing me!

Can’t you be nice to a beautiful lady? (That’s what a woman on a buss called me as she spoke to my husband. That was on our visit to Las Vegas last week)

What are you, …a bunch of men with a toothpick-sucking sense of humor?

And leave his socks alone.

Dee

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### Author: ![Rye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e56c9b/32.png) [@Rye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rye)
#### Post date: [April 13, 2002, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-dislike-inglebert-humperdink/103190/13 "2002-04-13T03:09:29Z")

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Dinglebert Slaptiback? No…  
Fritz Bonwollup? …  
Slaptiback Angledink? Nah  
Engelbert Humperdick? …  
Dinklebang Slingedibump? Wait, go back one

Engelbert Humperdick, yes thats it!

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### Author: ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)
#### Post date: [April 15, 2002, 10:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-dislike-inglebert-humperdink/103190/14 "2002-04-15T10:27:03Z")

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Have you ever talked to a woman who could stand him, though? I think the dislike is pretty much universal.

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### Author: ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)
#### Post date: [April 15, 2002, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-dislike-inglebert-humperdink/103190/15 "2002-04-15T10:48:24Z")

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Listening to _Please Release Me_ is one of the few clear memories I have from my drinking days. I hear it in flashbacks and that is why I hate the jerk who sang it. (I will not write or speak his name.)

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### Author: ![galt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/35a633/32.png) [@galt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galt)
#### Post date: [April 15, 2002, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-dislike-inglebert-humperdink/103190/16 "2002-04-15T11:00:10Z")

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I didn’t think it was **men** who disliked him, but rather **people who can hear**.

😃

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### Author: ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)
#### Post date: [April 15, 2002, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-dislike-inglebert-humperdink/103190/17 "2002-04-15T12:34:25Z")

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I’ll have to agree with **galt**. Engelbert Humperdinck’s music just blows. So does Wayne Newton’s and Tom Jones’. (Although all three have kitsch value.)

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### Author: ![everton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecb155/32.png) [@everton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/everton)
#### Post date: [April 15, 2002, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-dislike-inglebert-humperdink/103190/18 "2002-04-15T23:12:08Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by RTFirefly \*  
> After all these years, my memory’s starting to conflate Tom Jones and Engelbert Humperdinck, when it brings them to the surface at all. But it seems that with the aid of the reminders in this thread, I can still tell them apart. Barely.

Not an entirely surprising mistake Rufus, but if you ever mistook one for the other to his face you might get barked at - apparently they hate _each other’s_ guts from way back.

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### Author: ![yosemite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/3ab097/32.png) [@yosemite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yosemite)
#### Post date: [April 15, 2002, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-dislike-inglebert-humperdink/103190/19 "2002-04-15T23:26:09Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Drastic \*  
> \*\*Because he’s dead.
> 
> ::nods:: \*\*

Yep, he’s LONG dead. Dead dead dead. But he has a [killer DVD](http://www.dvdanswerman.com/pic/hanselandgretel.html) though.

By the way, my dad _(a man)_ loved and admired this Engelbert Humperdink’s music. We grew up with it. (My sisters and I loved the “fairy tale” aspect).

🆒

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### Author: ![Violet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ebca7d/32.png) [@Violet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Violet)
#### Post date: [April 15, 2002, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-dislike-inglebert-humperdink/103190/20 "2002-04-15T23:45:57Z")

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I don’t mind him but have never bought his music. I know a 26 year old guy who likes his music. I guess he’s in the category of one of those Vegas type entertainers like Wayne Newton.

[Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-dislike-inglebert-humperdink/103190.md?page=2)
