browning
n.— «The assumptions are that beauty is not obviously black; although, in the context of Jamaica, and perhaps the rest of the English-speaking Caribbean, it is not overtly Caucasian and aquiline. Something in between translates in Jamaican parlance to “browning,” the mixed-raced person legitimised by beauty contests and endorsed in popular culture.» —“The dilemma of skin bleaching” Jamaica Gleaner (Kingston) Jan. 22, 2007. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
Lorraine in Syracuse, New York, asks for tips for breaking the habit of saying You know. These linguistic self-interruptions are called disfluencies. You’ll improve your speaking by making sure you know your topic well and are clear about what you...
Debbie from Memphis, Tennessee, grew up in Arkansas, where she learned the term trade-last, which refers to “a quoted compliment offered in return for the recipient first offering one to the speaker.” Although those from the American South may...