My huckleberry friend (moon river). Does anyone know what it means if you call someone this?

Question

It has to be more than the Moby Dick reference. Any other meanings? regional? linguistic? old expression? I have been fascinated by this. Love the image of two drifters, etc
If I ever get married I wanna play moonriver but would like to know the full meaning first.

Answer 1

Well, Old Miss would be proud of you!!!
If you have read Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) then you would know just what kind of a friend the river can be, especially to us dreamers.
Also, did you know Mark Twain has another meaning?? Its the phrase steamboat captains would yell out to a crew member to read the Twain Marks on the side of the boat. These are depth marks for the boat so it didn't bottom out. Wonder if Samuel Clemens was that in doubt about his stories that he thought he might " bottom out" ? Well sir, that old river she just keeps rollin' along. Good Luck with your plans, by the way!!

Answer 2

I don't know about Moby Dick, but it is a reference to Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer.

They drifted down the river in their adventures.

It's basically just a sweet old story about the Mississippi River and two boys put to music.

Answer 3

I think most people associate 'huckleberry friend' with Twain's character Huckleberry Finn (river & adventure). My husband, who grew up on the Mississippi River, thinks it's a reference to the heady aroma of the huckleberry bush. Either way, it's a great song.

Answer 4

Try this;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon_River

Appropriately, Paul's mask is that of cartoon character Huckleberry Hound, a reference to the "huckleberry friend" of the song.