Dictionary of the Chinook Jargon, or, Trade Language of Oregon

Excerpt

~PART I.~

CHINOOK-ENGLISH.

NOTE.—The references, "Hale," "Cook," "Jewitt," are respectively to
Hale's "Ethnology of the United States Exploring Expedition," "Cook's
Voyages," and "Jewitt's Narrative." The others, as "Anderson," "Pandosy,"
"Shaw," "Tolmie," are from manuscript notes of those gentlemen in
possession of the writer.

PART I. CHINOOK-ENGLISH.

~A.~

~Ah-ha~, adv. Common to various tribes. Yes. Expression of simple assent. On Puget Sound, E-ÉH.

~Ah'n-kut-te~, or ~Ahn-kot-tie~, adv. Chinook, ANKUTTI. Formerly; before now. With the accent prolonged on the first syllable, a long time ago. Ex. Ahnkutte lakit sun, four days ago; Tenas ahnkutte, a little while since.

~Al-áh~, interj. Expression of surprise. Ex. Alah mika chahko! ah, you've come!

~Al-kie~, adv. Chinook, ALKEKH. Presently; in a little while; hold on; not so fast.

~Al'-ta~, adv. Chinook, ALTAKH. Now; at the present time.

~A-mo'-te~, n. Chinook, AMUTE; Clatsop, KLABOTÉ. The strawberry.

~An-áh~, interj. An exclamation denoting pain, displeasure, or depreciation. Ex. Anah nawitka mika halo shem, ah, indeed you are without shame. On Puget Sound, Ad-de-dáh.

~Ats~, n. Chinook, idem; Yakama, ATSE (Pandosy). A sister younger than the speaker. In the original, only when used by her brother.

~A-yáh-whul~, v. Chihalis, ATAHWUL. To lend; borrow.

~Ay-kéh-nam.~See EH-KAH-NAM.

~B.~

~Bé-be~, n., v. French. A word used towards children; probably a repetition of the first syllable of BAISER. A kiss; to kiss.

~Bed~, n. English, idem. A bed.

~Bit~, or ~Mit~, n. English, BIT. A dime or shilling.

~Bloom~, n. English, BROOM. A broom. Mamook bloom, to sweep.

~Boat~, n. English, idem. A boat, as distinguished from a canoe.

~Bos'-ton~, n., adj. An American; American. A name derived from the hailing-place of the first trading-ships to the Pacific. Boston illahie, the United States.

~Bur-dash~, n. Can. French, BERDACHE (Anderson). An hermaphrodite. The reputation of hermaphroditism is not uncommon with Indians, and seems to attach to every malformation of the organs of generation. The word is of very limited use.

~C.~

~Cal'-li-peen~, n. French, CARABINE. A rifle.

~Ca-nim~, n. Chinook, EKANIM. A canoe. Canim stick, the cedar, or wood from which canoes are usually made.

~Ca-po'~, n. French, CAPOT. A coat.

~Chah'-ko~, v. Nootka, Clayoquot, CHAKO; Tokwaht, TCHOKWA. To come; to become. Ex. Kansik mika chahko? when did you come? Chahko kloshe, to get well.

~Chák chak~, n. Chinook, idem. The bald eagle (by onoma.), from its scream. Of only local use on the lower Columbia.

~Chee~, adv., adj. Chinook, T'SHI. Lately; just now; new. Chee nika ko, I have just arrived. Hyas chee, entirely new.

~Chet'-lo~, or ~Jet'-lo~, n. Chihalia, CHETLOKH. An oyster. Used on the lower Columbia.

~Chet-woot~, n. Nisqually, idem. A black bear. Used only on Puget
Sound.

~Chik'-a-min~, n., adj. Tokwaht, TSIKAMEN; Nootka, SICKAMINNY (Jewitt); SEEKEMAILE (Cook). Iron; metal; metallic. T'kope chikamin, silver; pil chikamin, gold or copper....