"skip the ends" what does it mean?

[Phil Winn]

When talking to a lumber dealer, what does "skip the ends" mean?
There were a few boards I was looking at, and they said that they would "pull the pieces, "skip the ends ", and take some pictures of them...."
Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Phil

[Jim Becker]

They are likely referring to skip/skim planing...which means taking just a light enough cut to reveal the figure without materially reducing the thickness of the lumber from the rough. (I often do this in my own shop before loading lumber into the rack to determine color/figure so I know what I really have) Since they used the word "ends", they may be being more specific and only intend to show a little bit near the end of the boards. I'm speculating on that...

[Greg Tatum]

light pass thru the planer to show the grain....also called skip-planning

[Steve Clardy]

Yes. Mine comes in skip planed to 15/16ths.
Stacks on the truck easier, in my lumber racks. Can also see the grain.