• @NegativeInf
    link
    341 month ago

    In the context of the early 1900s, “skin” is used as a verb meaning to move swiftly or slip away. It is related to phrases like “skin out,” which means to leave quickly or hastily. This usage likely stems from the idea of “skinning” as a quick, slick action, akin to how one might swiftly peel or slip off the skin of an object. The origin can be traced back to the notion of moving in a smooth or gliding manner, possibly related to older idiomatic expressions involving quick actions.

    • @[email protected]
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      fedilink
      121 month ago

      My mom used to say “skin a rabbit!” To get me and my sibling to lift our arms and she’s quickly take off our shirts before a bath or bed or whatever.

      There was also an old dude that lived next door that used to farm rabbits and skin them in his back yard.

      It more than likely refers to skinning animals, as people did that themselves more commonly back then.

      • shastaxc
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        fedilink
        11 month ago

        In that usage yes, but the grammar in the image implies a different definition.

        • @[email protected]
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          fedilink
          21 month ago

          I mean yes, but when you skin a rabbit, you rip the skin off really quickly. So pretty sure “skin” here means to do something quickly