ppl at school calls me the white-washed girl, I know that it has something to do with the white colored, but what exactly does it mean?
2006-07-22 19:14:11 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Beauty & Style ➔ Skin & Body
Just that they consider you white, clean or pale.
They probably don't know the original meaning but are just trying to express that you seem pale.
It used to be a term for cleaning. People would make a mixture of lime and water, often with whiting, size, or glue added, and use it to whiten walls, fences, or other structures.
2006-07-22 19:18:08 · answer #1 · answered by Plasmapuppy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It sounds as if they are referring to your coloring.
However, the expression means to cover up something (usually the ugly truth) with a temporary fix. A white wash is a temporary cover up because it is not real paint and will wash off and the surface will have to be "washed" again.
People is very poor countries use it to keep their houses and walls clean. Our politicians use it to cover up their dirty reputations. So you see, it has a literal and a figurative meaning.
2006-07-22 19:25:57 · answer #2 · answered by lcmcpa 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
White wash was a inexpensive paint used to cover up dirt or damage.
"The white house" is white because the Canadian/British forces made it into DC and burned it, white wash was inexpensive, so it was done to cover the burn marks.
To white wash something is slang for to cover it up cheaply, although it can also mean something that is very white, or something that is kept clean.
2006-07-22 19:22:03 · answer #3 · answered by cmriley1 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could mean that your really pale white color. Way back when white wash meant like just white paint. Just like when they said to "white wash the fence"... they meant "paint the fence white".
2006-07-22 19:19:24 · answer #4 · answered by ffasheepdog 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only thing I can figure is a "white-wash" is when you take snow and rub it in someone's face therefore if you have a pale complexion maybe that's white they mean. They are just jealous cause they wish they did too!
2006-07-22 19:19:30 · answer #5 · answered by Captain Don 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
to white-wash something is to cover it up or hide it.
I think the people at your school do not understand the meaning of this saying.
2006-07-22 19:19:18 · answer #6 · answered by Mac Momma 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you look around and all your coworkers are white and you have no other ethnic groups working with you..i tell me boss that the house looks white-washed.
2006-07-22 19:26:02 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋