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Da kine
01
(Hawaii) a placeholder word for a person, thing, or idea when the specific name is unknown or unnecessary
Slang
Grammatical Information
Animacy status
Abstract
Composition
Compound
Countable
Plural form
da kines
What does "da kine" mean in Hawaii slang?
The structure combines "da" (Hawaii Pidgin for "the") with "kine" (Hawaii Pidgin for "kind" or "type"), forming a versatile placeholder phrase. It is used in Hawaii as a catch all noun for a person, thing, or idea when the specific name is unknown, forgotten, or unnecessary, similar to "whatchamacallit" or "thingamajig." People typically say "Pass me da kine" or "You know da kine, that place on the corner."
Examples
Can you pass me da kine over there?
