skin, skinim

Pacific Pidgin English: *skin.

Bislama: skin; Pijin: skin, skinim; TSC: skin, skine(m). Note the same usage in Pijin for masturbation.

Many languages in Papua New Guinea have a single word for ‘skin’ and ‘human body’. This is mirrored in Tok Pisin usages, especially among older ‘classical’ pidgin speakers.

Another feature of ‘skin’ is its appearance to others; a tight, vigourous, bright appearance not only suggests physical well-being but moral well-being (O’Hanlon 1989). This is likely to be translated into success in any area: sport, business, getting a good job, success with the opposite sex etc. Conversely, a dull, saggy appearance can be associated with moral turpitude and ‘losers’. This is seen in the value judgments associated with skin tait and fit.

See original Mihalic entry.

Noun forms

  1. Physiology: skin, hide, pod, husk, shell, rind
    katim skin to scarify
    skin (bilong) diwai the bark of a tree
    skin bilong kasang a peanut shell
    skin bilong kiau an egg shell
    skin bilong kokonas a cocount husk
    skin bilong muli a lemon rind
    skin bilong trausel a turtle shell
    skin kalap a skin graft
    skin palai the lizard skin which is used as a drumhead
    skin pas an envelope
    skin pilo a pillow case, a pillow slip
    skin plang odds and ends from dressed timber
    tekewe skin to skin, to peel

  1. Physiology: a body, a corpse, one’s person
    planim skin to bury a corpse
    skin bilong man the human body
    skin i guria to shiver (note: a symptom of malaria)
    skin i hat to have a fever, to run a temperature (note: a symptom of malaria)
    skin i kol to have the chills, to be cold
    skin i les to be tired, to be lazy
    skin i orait to be healthy
    skin i slek to be getting old, wrinkled, weak
    skin i wara to sweat
    tuhat i kamap long skin to sweat

  1. Physiology: the genitals
    katim skin bilong pikinini to circumcise, to scarify a child
    pilai long skin to play with oneself, to masturbate

Noun combination forms

  1. Judgment of appearance: skin tait fit, healthy ® fit
    em i wanpela skin tait meri! she is a really attractive woman

  1. Ethnic identifier: skin bret a person from Port Moresby, a Motuan (from beliefs elsewhere in the country that Motuans live on a diet of bread)

  1. Ethnic identifier: skin masta a person who acts like a European or pretends to be too good for the village

Verb phrase forms

  1. Sexual activity: skinim kok (i) to masturbate (ii) to be unable to take action in some matter
    yupela skinim! vulgar abuse, meaning: get lost, you can’t touch us

  1. Culture: makim skin to tattoo ® mak1, makmak1

© Revising the Mihalic Project, 26 Jan 2005 [Home]