tikin.
A large wooden image of Tiki, the creator and first created being of the Maoris and Polynesians, or of an ancestor; also, a small, usually greenstone, image of the same, worn as a charm or ornament. Also attributive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the supernatural > deity > [noun] > idol > of specific deity or idol
Juggernaut1638
Molochship1661
tiki1777
Baphomet1848
Shiva1931
society > faith > artefacts > symbol (general) > non-Christian symbols or images > [noun] > representing Tiki
tiki1777
the world > the supernatural > the occult > sorcery, witchcraft, or magic > non-European magic (miscellaneous) > [noun] > amulet > specific types of
tiki1777
rakhi1829
nomoli1905
1777 D. Samwell Jrnl. 24 Feb. in Cook Jrnls. (1967) III. ii. 1001 They [sc. the Maoris] had brought many Articles of Trade such as Ahoos, green Images called Tigis, Stone Adzes &c.
1840 J. S. Polack Manners & Customs New Zealanders II. xxi. 178 Around the neck, similar kinds of ornaments are worn, but the principal favourite is the Tiki.
1889 Hocken Catal. N.Z. Exhib. 81 Wooden Tikis, some of immense size, usually represented the ancestors.
1921 Outward Bound June 46/2 The beautiful and valuable greenstone from which the Maoris fashion all their..tikis.
1955 W. J. Phillipps Maori Carving Illustr. 12 The body is U shaped, humanised below after the manner of a Maori tiki.
1963 Times 26 Feb. 8/5 Gas-flared tiki torches.
1974 T. Heyerdahl Fatu-Hiva iii. 123 Some large wooden images, tiki, barred the entrances.
1977 Chicago Tribune 2 Oct. iv. 13/2 Papeete, the main town of Tahiti, generally isn't considered much of a shopping port, but it can bring surprises. Carved wooden, bone, and shell tikis and other jewelry; [etc.].
Draft additions 1993
Frequency (in current use): Show frequency band information
2. [This use first became widespread in the U.S. (especially Californian) tourist industry, and is unknown to the languages of the Pacific.] attributive and in other combinations. Of, pertaining to, or in the style of the tropical islands of the South Pacific, as tiki bar, tiki punch, etc.; tiki torch n. an outdoor lamp which burns gas or solid fuel and consists of a bowl attached to the end of a pole, which is inserted into the ground.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > named regions of earth > Pacific Islands > [adjective] > relating South Pacific
tiki1939
the world > matter > light > artificial light > an artificial light > [noun] > lamp > outdoor lamp
street light1819
sconce1849
tiki torch1939
1939 X. Herbert Capricornia xxvii. 408 The rest were a fish-spear, a kylie, a yam-stick, a dilly-bag, and a tikki fire-lighting set.
1952 Trader Vic's Kitchen Kibitzer 208 Tiki Punch. 8 ounces Triple Sec 8 ounces gin 3 ounces fresh lime juice 2 fifths chilled champagne, [etc.].
1963 Times 26 Feb. 8/4 Breech-clouted Hawaiians blow conch shells and light gas-flared tiki torches on hotel payrolls.
1975 Times 17 Mar. 1/6 (advt.) By the flickering light of a Tiki lamp, you'll delight in sampling exotic dishes.
1981 B. Granger Schism (1982) xiii. 116 The tiki bar behind the hotel on the beach side was designed like a grass hut.
1985 Smithsonian Jan. 30/3 Just two hours south of Washington, D.C.,..is a whole different world. Commercial fishermen ply their trade in undershirts. Tiki bars broadcast popular music into the subtropical night.
1990 Seattle Times 4 Mar. (‘Pacific’ section) 20/3 The Polynesian is thatched roofs, tiki torches and Disney kitsch.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1986; most recently modified version published online December 2020).
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