The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #23200 Message #2167592
Posted By: PoppaGator
09-Oct-07 - 06:30 PM
Thread Name: Jacomo finane? What does that mean?-Iko Iko
Subject: RE: Jacomo finane? What does that mean?
Sorry, I wasn't trying to be that precise as to differentiate between a "referent" and an "expression." I thought the word "expression" was sufficiently generic to encompass many shades of meaning, including those two and more.
I'll argue back a little about "Kanaka," though (if not about the real-or-imaginary proper name "John Kanaka"). As discussed in other threads if not in this one, the word "Kanaka" was used by American whalers and other 19th century sailors to refer to Hawaiian natives, and its use in various lyrics indicates that some folk used to refer specifically to females, others to males, and still others to the entire population. In that sense, "term" is exactly the word I meant to use.
On the other hand, Azizi, I defer to your expertise in regard to "Junkanoo."