Link Centre Dictionary

skank

UK/ˈskæŋk/ US/ˈskæŋk/ fairly common slang

noun

1.
2.

a rhythmic dance to reggae music performed by bending forward and extending the hands while bending the knees

Origin

Originally Jamaican, attested from the twentieth century, but earliest source is uncertain. The verb sense be dishonest is evidently older. Perhaps originally onomatopoeic. The dance senses may come from a resemblance to motorcyclists weaving between larger vehicles. Compare skanker.

Phrases

  • skank up

Related words

Word family

Broader terms

WordNet 2.1 (Princeton University). Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). CMU Pronouncing Dictionary. WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved. Wiktionary content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Licence.