General
skank
What does skank mean?
To dance to reggae or ska with a characteristic loose-limbed step; separately, to cheat or con someone.
"Him a skank all night to di soundsystem."
Origin
Jamaican Patois; ska-era dance term.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'skank' mean in reggae?
To dance to reggae or ska with a loose-limbed, bent-knee step. 'Skanking' is the classic dance to a ska rhythm.
Does 'skank' also mean to cheat?
Yes — in Jamaican Patois 'skank' also means to con or swindle someone, as in 'dem skank mi outta mi money'.
Is 'skank' the same as the American insult?
No. In Jamaican usage it's about dancing or conning; the American slang for a promiscuous person is a separate, unrelated meaning.
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