ọkinni

Yoruba

Alternative forms

ọkịnnị (Ekiti)

Etymology

Its origins are euphemistic, it was forbidden in some Yoruba towns to use the more common word for needle, abẹ́rẹ́, in the night or in the palace, thus ọkinni was used. Now only used in dialects or greeting a king. Compare with Ijebu Yoruba okinẹ and Ondo Yoruba ọkẹnnẹ (which may have been borrowed from this Yoruba form)

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /ɔ̄.kĩ̄.nĩ̄/

Noun

ọkinni

(archaic, euphemistic) needle
Synonyms: abẹ́rẹ́, àjírán, àgwọ̀dẹ́n, ùkótí

ìrùkẹ̀rẹ̀ a dọkinni
Your flywhisk shall become a needle
(literally, “Your flywhisk shall become as light as a needle”)
(a prayer/praise for a king)