Hey guys! I have a question. In the episode 'Slave Girl' the Professor is talking to Kalani and calls Gilligan something like 'ho hopfu', and she laughs incredulously while staring at Gilligan.

There was a discussion on YouTube that it was an actual Polynesian phrase that meant either 'virgin boy' or 'our little idiot'.

I hate the thought that the loveable Prof would make fun of Gilligan behind his back but it sounds like a real phrase. So if anyone has an idea what it means I'd love to know!

Thank you!!!

I came across the following website:

http://starling.rinet.ru/kozmin/polynesia/marquesas.php

It shows the following phrase using the word hohopu and two loose translations:

A pau taua i te vai hohopu:

Come along for the bath in the stream,
We two, for the fresh-water dip,

Since The Professor's use of the word is verbally punctuated as a question, I'm guessing that he's verifying the fact that Gilligan pulled Kalani out of the lagoon and saved her from a "fresh water dip." Now, since The Professor has stated Kalani's language is a combination of two island languages, it seems logical that Kalani is laughing not at Gilligan, but more than likely how The Professor put the question to her, and confirms she and Gilligan took a fresh water dip. Of course it was an ocean dip but then again this is a loose translation.

I hope this helps answer the question.

I came across the following website:

http://starling.rinet.ru/kozmin/polynesia/marquesas.php

It shows the following phrase using the word hohopu and two loose translations:

A pau taua i te vai hohopu:

Come along for the bath in the stream,
We two, for the fresh-water dip,

Since The Professor's use of the word is verbally punctuated as a question, I'm guessing that he's verifying the fact that Gilligan pulled Kalani out of the lagoon and saved her from a "fresh water dip." Now, since The Professor has stated Kalani's language is a combination of two island languages, it seems logical that Kalani is laughing not a Gilligan, but more than likely how The Professor put the question to her, and confirms she and Gilligan took a fresh water dip. Of course it was an ocean dip but then again this is a loose translation.

I hope this helps answer the question.

OH, wow! That is an amazing answer, thank you so much! This explanation is so much better than thinking our dear Professor was making fun of Gilligan by calling him a virgin or an idiot. We know he wouldn't do a thing like that!

I should never, ever base my assumptions on comments I read on You Tube of all places.

Thank you for taking the trouble to answer my question so wonderfully!

You're welcome; glad to have helped.

So I watched this episode again the other night, and it definitely does look like the Prof is asking Kalani something lighthearted such as, "so, did you and Gilligan take a swim together?" :)

Which is much more in keeping with his niceness and his teasing sense of humour. I'm happy!

The Professor's question could also be a continuity link back to season 1 when Gilligan tried to save Mary Ann from the lagoon, only to be saved himself along with Mary Ann by the Skipper. Which could explain why the Professor asked the question in the first place; to make sure he was understanding her correctly. Just an observation.

The Professor's question could also be a continuity link back to season 1 when Gilligan tried to save Mary Ann from the lagoon, only to be saved himself along with Mary Ann by the Skipper. Which could explain why the Professor's asked the question in the first place; to make sure he was understanding her correctly. Just an observation.

That would make it even better, if he was referring back to those events. Poor Gilligan was humiliated by his failure to rescue Mary Ann, but she struggled, whereas Kalani was almost unconscious. I also like to think that Gilligan had practised in the meantime so that if Mary Ann (or anyone) ever got into trouble again, he'd be better prepared. Although, as it has been pointed out, life saving really ought to have been part of his Navy training!