Dictionary

skintern en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• (Australia) audio

Etymology

Blend of skin + intern.

Meanings

1. (US, slang) A female intern who wears very revealing clothing in an office setting where more conservative attire is the norm.
   • Meanwhile, the barely there selection of a skintern might actually cause potential donors on the street to take a second look, and, possibly even open their wallets -- just hopefully not in expectation of sexual favors. 2010 July 15, Annie Werner, “Where the 'Skinterns' Should Work”, in Village Voice:
   • "We were talking about this at dinner the other night, about how some interns show up in some of the skimpiest clothing," a female press secretary said. "One of the boys called them skinterns, which I thought was hilarious." 2005 June 22, “The bad rap of Capitol Hill interns”, in The Hill:
   • They're known as “skinterns.” Those who think "belly shirts" are career wear. If the devil wears Prada, the skinterns wear nada. 2006 July 5, “Showing off a bit of skin”, in The Washington Times:
   • Though “skinterns” do provide ample entertainment and a welcome distraction for many young staffers, the situation actually points to a disturbing reality lurking behind the heavy gilded doors of the Capitol: by appearing scantily-clad in their attire, women self-designate themselves into inferior roles and open themselves up to objectification. 2009 September 28, Shayna Murphy, “Scantily-clad interns give working girls a bad name”, in The Daily Collegian, University of Massachusetts Amherst:

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