yimkinadv.
/ˈjɪmkɪn/ slang.
Perhaps (see also quot. 1966).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > possibility > [adverb] > perhaps
is wenc897
wen isc897
peradventurec1300
peradventurec1325
perchancec1350
uphapa1375
percasea1393
lightly1395
in casea1398
maybea1400
may chancea1400
may-falla1400
may-fortunea1400
may-tidea1400
perhapa1464
happen1487
perhapsc1520
percase1523
ablea1525
by chance1526
mayhap1533
fortunea1535
belikelya1551
haps1570
mayhappen1577
perhappen1578
possibly1600
not impossibly1667
ables1673
aunters1673
aiblins1720
p'rapsa1745
aunterens1825
mebbe1825
yes-no1898
yimkin1925
ja-nee1937
1925 E. Fraser & J. Gibbons Soldier & Sailor Words 311 Yimkin, perhaps. An Arabic word used colloquially among troops on the Eastern Fronts.
1966 ‘L. Lane’ ABZ of Scouse 120 Yimkin, nonsense; I don't believe it.
1967 Sunday Times 10 Sept. (Colour Suppl.) 46/4 Yimpkin, perhaps. Expressive of extreme scepticism. ‘When Tunis falls we're all going home, yimpkin!’ (Ar.)
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1986; most recently modified version published online December 2020).
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adv.1925