hori hori

or hor·i-hor·i

[ hawr-ee hawr-ee ]

noun

1. a sharp, sturdy gardening knife with a concave steel blade, usually with one serrated edge and one straight edge, whose multiple uses include digging, prying up plants, transplanting from pots, dividing perennials, sawing through roots, and cutting into compacted soil:

   Without this hori hori, I never would have attempted to dig up and divide the knotted mass of daylilies near the back steps.

Word History and Origins

Origin of hori hori¹

First recorded in 2000–05; from Japanese, reduplicated use of stem of horu “to dig”

Example Sentences

Weiner walked around the property, pointing out Clark’s work and showing off a hori hori knife tucked in a pocket of her overalls.

From Seattle Times

Your favorite gardener, camper and forager will love this Japanese-inspired Hori Hori knife.

From Los Angeles Times

Sharp pruners and snips and multipurpose weeding tools, such a hori hori knife, make garden chores easier.

From Seattle Times

Your favorite gardener, camper and forager will love this Japanese-inspired Hori Hori knife.

From Los Angeles Times

Diggit Hori Hori: This Seattle-designed version of the popular multipurpose gardening tool does it all: measures depth for bulbs, digs holes, saws through roots and digs up weeds.

From Seattle Times