I always thought that "skank", as a dance, followed the word "ska", to describe the music which is being danced to. Ska is kind of a faster, more intense version of reggae (i.e. not as laid back) with lots of "horns" (trumpets, trombones, saxophones) and a strong offbeat. This music is the precursor of reggae, and still exists in various updated forms today.
Anyway, when I go to ska shows, I "skank", or I am "skanking". This is a specific sort of dance where you kind of look like you are running on the spot, and you exaggerate your arms and leg motions, all in time with the music. And if you want to go all out then you dress a certain way, too, and then you're a "rude boy" or a "rude girl".
(My husband was in a ska band so this is why I know this!)
Does anyone know if the name of the dance spawned the name of the music, or the other way around?
