Re: Another look at the Hawaiian meaning of Lua

[Stefan Sandberg <keffo.sandberg@...>]

As far as I know, 'lua' became slang for restroom in hawaii after 
portuguese explorers used it to ask for the bathroom,
hinting at the carving of a crescent moon often decorating the door.

No idea where the origins of the martial art comes from though, but I 
doubt it's related, no :)


Roberto Ierusalimschy wrote:
> > I was reading this Pacific Mythology book and bumped into something that 
> > may help further clarify (or confuse) the issue of the meaning of Lua in 
> > Hawaiian.
> >
> > Search Google for "hawaiian dictionary lua", and click on the link that 
> > has the Hawaiian-English Google Book. It shows more clearly the meanings 
> > of Lua.
> >
> > 'Toilet' seems to be modern usage, and hole/cave thing seems to be the 
> > original meaning. [...]
> >     
>
> If we search for "hawaiian lua" (without "dictionary") we get lots of
> stuff about a martial art called Lua. Do you (or someone else) know how
> this other meaning fits in? (They do not seem to worry about fighting a
> style called "toilet" ;)
>
> -- Roberto
>
>