Word: Skookum

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

This Wednesday's word is brought to you via new DW friend daryl_wor:

skookum

A lot of different definitions:

adjective

1. marked by strength or power
2. marked by excellent quality, first-rate
3. reliable or hard-working.

noun

1. an evil spirit or a woodland monster

origins

Chinook Jargon. Chinook Jargon developed as a language among Indigenous peoples and European traders in the Pacific Northwest (of the US), particularly around the Columbia River. It emerged in the late 18th century, primarily as a means of communication in trade, and incorporated elements from various languages, including Chinook, French, and English.

Comments

[dine]

I grew up hearing skookum, generally associated with #2, and to a lesser degree #3. I never heard it used as that noun

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Interesting! It's new to me.

[dine]

it's definitely a regionalism - I'm sure most people in the country aren't familiar with it - and possibly younger people here, as I'm not sure how widely it's still in use