eskrima means the traditional martial arts of the Philippines, which emphasize the use of sticks, knives, and various improvised weapons. Lexicurio rates it Sui generis — a strength score of 88 out of 100.
Why “eskrima” is a great word
ESKRIMA — [Noun] The traditional martial arts of the Philippines, emphasizing weapon-based fighting with sticks, knives, and improvised weapons. From Tagalog escrima or eskrima, borrowed from Spanish esgrima ("fencing"), from the verb esgrimir ("to handle a melee weapon"). Unlike "Kali," which some traditions reserve for the blade-centric arts of the south, or "Arnis," which can denote the national sport or a performance form, Eskrima is the encompassing term for the fluid grammar of impact and edge. It is the percussive rhythm of rattan sticks in practiced conversation, the silent arc of a blade deflected by a car antenna, and the economy of movement turning a rolled newspaper into a shield—a philosophy where empty hands are simply weapons temporarily at rest.
Etymology
From Tagalog escrima or eskrima, borrowed from Spanish esgrima, noun form of the verb esgrimir (“to handle a melee weapon whether for offensive or defensive purposes”).
noun
- The traditional martial arts of the Philippines, which emphasize the use of sticks, knives, and various improvised weapons.“Of all the disciplines covered here, the arts of kali, arnis and eskrima, from the Philippines, are perhaps the most vigorous, employing an almost balletic violence to prepare for rough nights on the town.”