DCHP-1 Online

Cariboo

• 1 n. an extensive region in south-central British Columbia, originally that region between the junction of the Quesnel and Fraser Rivers and the Cariboo Mountains, but later, especially in popular usage, a much larger region, extending from Lillooet almost to Prince George.

  • The Cariboo was the scene of a famous gold rush which began in 1860.

  • 1860  Victoria may yet turn out to be a regular Cariboo, as far as regards hidden treasure.
  • 1964  But this year, where once there was only campfire smoke on the trail, the Cariboo horizon was dotted also by the smoke from sawmill burners.

• 2 n. Slang, Obs. (usually plural) a name given to the Reformers in Upper Canada in the 1830's.

  • 1838  I have often wish't . . . that I have performed the feat of killing a Carriboo.
  • 1838  The Toronto folks call 'em Carriboo, 'cause they are ontamed wild critters from the woods, and come down in droves to the legislatur'.