skank
UK[skæŋk]US[skæŋk]
n
Definition 1: A person, especially a woman, considered to be dirty, immoral, or sexually promiscuous (used as a term of abuse).
n
Definition 2: A style of dance associated with reggae and ska music, characterized by bending the knees and moving the body in a rhythmic, often jerky fashion.
v
Definition 3: To dance to reggae or ska music in a skanking style.
Etymology
The etymology of 'skank' is obscure and multifaceted. The derogatory noun sense, first attested in the mid-20th century, is of uncertain origin but may be an alteration of 'scamp' or derive from a dialectal term. The musical senses have a clearer, though separate, lineage. The dance style and verb 'to skank' emerged from Jamaican English in the 1960s, associated with ska and reggae, and is likely imitative of the jerky, scraping dance movements. Thus, the word represents a convergence of potentially distinct slang terms into one spelling, with the musical meaning becoming the more neutral, mainstream usage.
Analysis
The word 'skank' is considered a simplex form in modern English. It is a slang term of uncertain origin, likely emerging in the 20th century. Its different meanings may have separate etymological paths.
Examples
The singer was criticized for using misogynistic lyrics that referred to women as skanks.
The crowd at the concert moved in unison, skanking to the upbeat rhythm of the horn section.
His favorite part of the ska revival was learning the traditional skank dance steps.