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Shipshape

Posted by Lewis on September 20, 2004

In Reply to: Evokes a feeling posted by Lotg on September 17, 2004

: : : Hello there,

: : : Among other things, I am a funk and roll lyricist, and the word "SKANK" came from an ideal that I had while trying to think of a title for a song of mine that was way too funky.
: : : Well, we all know that the funk will sho nuff make you STANK ? And that nothing STANKS worst than the fart of a SKUNK ? Kicked SKUNK and STANK around and came up with SKANK.

: : : Brilliant huh ? sadly enough, true.

: : Wow! I very recently decided to look up the word "skanky," because it is used prominently in an episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (the TV series to which I am addicted like a true druggie). Specifically, Spike taunts Glory (an evil god[dess] from another dimension) about numerous shortcomings, including her "skanky ass." The dictionaries I consulted used a variety of pejorative terms as very loose synonyms in defining the word. DeRita's 'confession' acknowledgment? is extremely interesting, and I am moved to make an observation about the name DeRita, which I had not seen before. You know how sometimes you notice a name that you've never seen before, and suddenly you seem to see it in unexpected places? (I'm thinking, for instance, of lists of production crew members for TV shows and movies, or any place where you see lots of names.) Well, just one day after reading Mr. or Ms. DeRita's post, I saw a quotation from a Pentagon (?) spokesman by that name, defending the Administration view on something or other. SS

: Good word 'skank'! It's one of those words that evokes a real 'feeling'. It's one of those words you can say with emotion. With a sneer on your face. Some words generate that feeling more than others. You've incited me to consider other words that are said with such 'feeling'.

I heard 'skank' years ago - it is a naval term for a woman who possesses merely the 'virtue' of willingness to be rogered. it was said to come from a fish - perhaps skate? - that could be used in the absence of such a woman. not pleasant - but that's what I heard about 19 years ago when I moved to this area, which has a fair few people come up from Portsmouth.

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