my hind

Status
Not open for further replies.

frindle2

Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2013
Member Type
Other
Native Language
Korean
Home Country
South Korea
Current Location
South Korea
Hello. What does 'my hind' mean in the context below? I've looked up the word hind and it means 'female deer.'
Does it mean like 'a old hag' or something in the context?

(An old woman was trying to sell her necklaces to a girl. The old woman had said the pendants of her necklaces were dragon scales. )
---------------------------------------------------------------
Suddenly a giant of a man with no shirt on barreled past us down the alley.
The woman's necklaces clattered onto the dirt, chipping at the edges. She shook her fist at him, shouting, "My dragon scales! You'll pay for that, you clod!"
"Dragon scales, my hind!" boomed the man. "Don't let her scam you, girlie. The woman's got the finest turtle-shell dragon scales you ever seen!"

Source: The Last Mapmaker by Christina Soontornvat
 
It's a less crude way of saying Dragon scales my arse, meaning 'complete bullshit'.

The hind quarters of an animal are the rear parts.
 
It's a less crude way of saying Dragon scales my arse …

... (AE my ass — also my behind).

The book’s target readers are pre- and early teens.
 
Last edited:
'Hind' is also a term for a female deer (compared to the male 'hart'). Of course that's unlikely the meaning in this context.

The term 'hiney' (aka 'heine') is also related slang for 'butt' or 'buttocks'.
 
'Hind' is also a term for a female deer (compared to the male 'hart'). Of course that's unlikely the meaning in this context.

But you're cautiously allowing for the possibility?!
 
Well, it's set in a Thai inspired fantasy world, where deer have noted symbolism in Buddhist culture (Budda reincarnates as one in some stories), so it's not entirely impossible it's some kind of religious profanity or blasphemy (akin to swearing on Christ or the Virgin Mary, etc. ). It would pair nicely with the dragon reference (two animals).

I did say it's unlikely, but it's not entirely impossible.

It seems like an odd word choice, regardless. Plenty of other mild substitutes that are more common.
 
Donkeys also have a special significance in Buddhism. Did Buddha reincarnate as an ass too?

(Just joking with you, Skrej.)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Ask a Teacher

If you have a question about the English language and would like to ask one of our many English teachers and language experts, please click the button below to let us know:

(Requires Registration)
Back
Top