What does Auntie mean in Hawaii?

In Hawaii, “Aunty” and “Unko” (Uncle in Standard English) are used as a sign of respect towards elders. While it is common practice, there are times when these terms of endearment can be used in woefully wrong ways.

What do Hawaiians call their elders?

Kapuna is a term sometimes used for grandparents, but it more accurately translates to “elder” and is most often used for one upholding and teaching traditional Hawaiian culture.

Why do people call strangers uncle?

It is because people in both societies (and probably Suriname as well) tend to refer to elders by the endearing ‘Aunty’ or ‘Uncle’ rather than by their names or as Mr and Ms. Among Indian communities worldwide, Aunty and Uncle are commonly used to refer to elders even if they are not relatives.

What does the slang term Auntie mean?

The definition of auntie is an affectionate term used for one of your parents’ sisters or sisters in law. An example of auntie is your favorite relative, your mom’s sister. Affectionate term used by a young person of an unrelated adult female family friend.

Why do people in Suriname call elders ‘Aunty’ and ‘uncle’?

It is because people in both societies (and probably Suriname as well) tend to refer to elders by the endearing ‘Aunty’ or ‘Uncle’ rather than by their names or as Mr and Ms.

Do Indians use Aunty and uncle to refer to older people?

The interesting finding in my travels, is that in North America and Europe the Indians persist with using Aunty and Uncle to refer to older folks. In British Columbia and in Los Angeles and San Francisco among Fijian Indians, ethnic kinship terms and Aunt and Uncle are commonly used. Youngsters in San Francisco called me uncle at a store.

What do Aboriginals call their elders?

Aboriginal people refer to an Elder as ‘Aunty’ or ‘Uncle’. However, it is recommended that non-Aboriginal people check the appropriateness of their use of these terms as referring to an Elder or leader as Aunty or Uncle may not be appropriate for an outsider unless a strong relationship has been established.

Are Aunty and uncle in common in Australia?

When I first visited Australia in 1995, there were hardly any Indians. But by 2015, there were large communities of Indians among whom Aunty and Uncle are in common us as well as ethnic kinship terms (Cha Cha, Cha Chi, etc) to refer to blood or marriage relatives.