Question to Polynesian expert

[Chaumont Devin]

Roderick G Orlina <rorlina at ic.sunysb.edu> writes:

> I'll have to disagree with Bob about the source of our word "tatoo"
> because I believe it derives from the Old Javanese word "tatu", which
> means, "wound, scar" (Zoetmulder).

There is also an interesting word, "tetu" in Ambon Malay, which means to
peck as a chicken does, and "tatu" which is the name for a fish having
very sharp teeth, the triggerfish.

But in Buru, you guessed it, the "tatu" is that unmentionable old male
stabbing organ also known as the BUUT, the SOIT, OTIN, WAKAN, etc.

--CD.