Pidgin, brah! What's the meaning of Unko in Hawaii?
PRONUNCIATION: uhn-koh
DEFINITION: uncle, older man (term of respect)
USAGE: Eh, Unko, can borrow yo truck?
ENGLISH: Hey, Uncle, can I borrow your truck?
ALTERNATES: unkoh
CRITICAL LANGUAGE WARNING: Respect vs. Poop
If you are searching for the Japanese word Unko (うんこ), you are looking for the word for Poop. (Yes, the famous "Unko Kanji Drill" and "Unko Museum" are about poop).
In Hawaii, it is the exact opposite.
- The Pidgin Meaning: "Unko" is simply the phonetic Pidgin spelling of Uncle.
- The Rule of Respect: In Hawaii, Unko is a title of high respect used for any older male, regardless of whether they are blood-related.
The Danger:
Be very careful where you use this word!
- In Honolulu: "Eh, Unko!" = "Hello, Sir/Respected Elder."
- In Tokyo: "Unko!" = "Poop!"
Pronunciation Note:
In Hawaii Pidgin, we often stress the first syllable heavily (UN-ko), whereas the Japanese pronunciation is flatter.
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