wanpis

Mihalic derived this from English ‘one piece’, however, allusions to being a ‘single fish’ appear stronger and, in any case, this is likely to be a purely Tok Pisin formation.

See original Mihalic entry. See List discussion. .

Modifier forms

1. State of being: alone, without relatives, an orphan, without a mate
   em i no gat bratasusa, em i wanpis he has no brothers or sisters, he is a single child
   ol famili bilong i dai, em i wanpis i stap his entire family have died, he is all alone
   mi no marit, mi wanpis yet I’m not married, I’m still single
   mi wanpis tasol, kam na traim mi! I’ll fight you all single-handed!

Proper noun forms

2. Personal name: Wanpis a child’s proper name, by allusion to the fact that the bearer is an only child, and possibly discarded in later life

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