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high maka maka

Meaning: stuck up

Pronunciation: high-MAH-kah-MAH-kah
descriptions intermediate

Meaning

• stuck up
• snobbish
• pretentious
• acting superior
• snooty
• pompous

Usage: Describes someone who is pretentious or stuck up: acting high-class and too good for everyone else, putting on airs, or looking down on local ways. Used as an adjective ("she get real high maka maka").

Examples

"Ever since she moved to town, she get real high maka maka."

"Why you acting all high maka maka? We eating at Zippy's, not one five-star restaurant."

"Dat guy ova dea, so high maka maka, he no even talk story wit' us."

"She used to be so nice, but now she high maka maka, no like talk story wit' us."

"She all high maka maka"

Origin & Cultural Context

Origin: English "high" (as in high-class) plus Hawaiian makamaka. In ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi makamaka means a close friend or patron; how the phrase came to mean stuck up is not documented. Some explain it through maka (eyes), picturing someone with their eyes held high.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does "high maka maka" mean in Hawaiian Pidgin?

"high maka maka" means "stuck up" in Hawaiian Pidgin. Describes someone who is pretentious or stuck up: acting high-class and too good for everyone else, putting on airs, or looking down on local ways. Used as an adjective ("she get real high maka maka")..

How do you pronounce "high maka maka"?

"high maka maka" is pronounced "high-MAH-kah-MAH-kah". Click the "Hear Pronunciation" button above to listen!

How do you use "high maka maka" in a sentence?

Example: "Ever since she moved to town, she get real high maka maka."

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Pidgin & Local Culture Corner

Pidgin Grammar Tip

"The word 'da kine' is a versatile placeholder used when you can't remember a specific word."

Local Culture Fact

"Hawaiian Pidgin (HWC) originated on sugar plantations as a way for diverse ethnic groups to communicate."

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