What does Hori Hori mean?The Hori Hori blade is a versatile garden tool with origins in Japan where "hori" ホリ is the onomatopoeia for the sound of digging. This means "hori hori" would literally translate as "diggy diggy". It has many other names in Japan to reflect its versatility whether you use it for hard work or just for odd jobs in the garden. Elegant and sleek but also robust and versatile.