Dictionary

HM slave en · NOUN

Etymology

From HM, an abbreviation of Hidden Machine, a phono-semantic matching of Japanese ひでんマシン (Hiden Mashin, “Secret Machine”).

Meanings

1. (slang) A Pokémon retained by the player to use Hidden Machine moves (certain moves that usually help in exploring the world of the games).
   • For this purpose, some players like to bring along a "HM Slave" (or two) - a Pokémon whose only purpose is to use HMs. 2015, Pokémon X & Y - Strategy Guide, GamerGuides.com, →ISBN, page 24:
   • I think the HM slaves work best because then you just have to level them up to about 40 playing through the game, and switching them out for some other more useful pokes leveling up. 2005 May 17, daramark, “Re: New player strategy.”, in alt.games.nintendo.pokemon (Usenet), message-ID <Pkeie.1739$dS3.443546@news20.bellglobal.com>:
   • Farfetch'd is pretty good for a HM slave. And once you've visited everywhere, you can HM delete Cut and Flash and False Swipe and raise it to a decent level and watch it own damn near everything. 2001 February 17, Talen, “Re: [OT] Frustration...”, in alt.fan.dragonball (Usenet), message-ID <qohs8tgvf0jap8p9fto88fufl17blr740f@4ax.com>:
   • That leaves Flash, Waterfall, Fly, and (not a HM, but needed in much the same way) Rock Smash for another HM slave. 2001 February 15, rak...@mindspring.com, “Re: Smeargle just an ugly smear in your team?”, in alt.games.nintendo.pokemon (Usenet), message-ID <3a8b4f6a.316743@news.mindspring.com>:

Forms

Synonyms

HM mule

Translations (1)

ja 秘伝要員 (Pokémon whose purpose is to use HM moves)