Thaipwriter Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 Over dinner this evening my date referred to herself as "Keurn Kam" or something similar sounding. She was referring to the fact she was unmarried at 28 years old. I'm stumped by this and its not possible to ask Thai friends for fear of embarrasing her. Any idea? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Totster Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 I think it's Keurn Kan, and it means something like no one wants to marry her.. unmarriable, thats the best explanation I can get. Totster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Totster Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 ้ขึ้นคาน - A spinster (bless her, at 28 indeed) Totster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thaipwriter Posted February 18, 2008 Author Share Posted February 18, 2008 I think it's Keurn Kan, and it means something like no one wants to marry her.. unmarriable, thats the best explanation I can get.Totster Yes it was Kan and your response fits the context, she's definately selling herself short with that description though. thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stonybonytony Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 Can a man be keurn kan, or is it gender specific? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siamesekitty Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 Being of a similar age, this phrase is used often within my circle of friends, to joke with each other about our single states "Kheun khan" refers to a woman who has passes her maiden days but has not married yet, i.e. an "old maid". It has a slightly negative meaning because in the olden days women were expected to marry so there would be someone to take care of them and protect them. (So I suppose not getting married might be considered a failure.) The phrase "kheun khan" comes from the state of a boat under repair is called. A boat that needs to be repaired will have to be brought up onto shore and lifted up onto a "khan", which is a lever or prop of sorts, so that repairs and maintenance can be done. Therefore, during that period the boat is rendered useless, being stuck up there on the "khan" (similar to a lady who is already past the marriage-able age, I suppose). The word is used only for women. source: The Royal Institute + my own wording Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aanon Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 (edited) Being of a similar age, this phrase is used often within my circle of friends, to joke with each other about our single states "Kheun khan" refers to a woman who has passes her maiden days but has not married yet, i.e. an "old maid". It has a slightly negative meaning because in the olden days women were expected to marry so there would be someone to take care of them and protect them. (So I suppose not getting married might be considered a failure.) The phrase "kheun khan" comes from the state of a boat under repair is called. A boat that needs to be repaired will have to be brought up onto shore and lifted up onto a "khan", which is a lever or prop of sorts, so that repairs and maintenance can be done. Therefore, during that period the boat is rendered useless, being stuck up there on the "khan" (similar to a lady who is already past the marriage-able age, I suppose). The word is used only for women. source: The Royal Institute + my own wording thanks for the explanation siamesekitty. i had come across คานเรือ as 'drydock' before, but didn't realise it could be a smaller cradle-type structure as well. also, i remember hearing a comedian talking about ขึ้นคาน before, but the pun he was making just went over my head. here's the skit. the คาน joke is in the first 30 seconds. all the best. now i look in my domnern-sathienpong dictionary, i also see คานทอง defined as "well-to-do-spinster". Edited February 19, 2008 by aanon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bannork Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 In conversation yesterday a Thai was talking about the Head of Public Relations at Channel 5, an unmarried lady in her forties he said something like เเก่เกินเเกง too old for a curry. He said sometimes a chicken can be seen as too old to be eaten or made into a curry and was using it to describe an old maid. I don't know if I got the phrase right or if it's commonplace. But like the OP, I was of the opinion she was in fact not past her prime. I've just had an idea, why doesn't Thai Visa start a dating agency thread?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElZorro Posted February 22, 2008 Share Posted February 22, 2008 The equivalent term in Japanese is "kurimasuke-ki" (Christmas cake), because no one wants them after the 25th Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Totster Posted February 22, 2008 Share Posted February 22, 2008 The equivalent term in Japanese is "kurimasuke-ki" (Christmas cake), because no one wants them after the 25th Totster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eefoo Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 The phrase "kheun khan" comes from the state of a boat under repair is called. A boat that needs to be repaired will have to be brought up onto shore and lifted up onto a "khan", Equivalent to the English "On the shelf" perhaps ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now