DCHP-1 Online

Eskimo † [< Algonk., probably through Cdn F Esquimau with spelling influenced by Danish Eskimo; cf. Cree askimowew he eats it raw; Ojibwa askkimē raw-flesh eater]

• See also: Husky  

  • Although several other etymologies have been advanced (see quotes below), the evidence unquestionably supports the Algonkian source. The remarkably large number of variant spellings in early writings of the Labrador-Hudson's Bay region suggest constant reinforcing from contact of the English traders with the Crees.

• (a)

  • 1748  The very Orthography of the Word Eskimaux plainly proves it an Indian Appellation, with a French termination, and we are told by a celebrated Writer of that Country, that it is derived from the Words Abenaqui Esquimantsic, which is as much as to say, an eater of raw Flesh.
  • 1860  (1956)  To my surprise, the Ojibbeways on Lake Superior are all acquainted with the raw flesh eaters, or, as they call them, "Ashkimeg."
  • 1956  The Eskimos traditionally despise the Indians (Irkrekret-"Lice") and the Indians fear the barbaric little northern men (Eskimo is Indian for "Eaters of Raw Meat.")

• (b)

  • 1616  (1858)  Quelques peuples ont maintenant une implacable guerre contre nous, comme Excomminquois, qui habitent au costé boreal de grand golfe S. Laurens, et nous font de grands maux.
  • 1950  The usual etymology given for the word Eskimo [French esquimau(x)], whereby it is derived from Algonkin Indian language aske "raw meat," and moho "to eat," is probably wrong. Originally the form of the name, as found in the Jesuit Relations, was Excomminquois or Excomminqui. . . . The name was first used by the Jesuits who, in 1605, began missionary work particularly among the Algonkin Indians, their friendly allies. These Indians often had encounters with the coastal tribes of Labrador, wild seal hunters who for a long time remained hostile to the Jesuits and their Indian friends. The missionaries invented the name of Excomminquois (pronounced Excomminqué) for their pagan neighbors to the north-east, and this name was later, by degrees, altered to Escoumains and Esquimaux. The original meaning is probably connected with the fact that the hostile pagans were interdicted from the church and the sacrament: Latin excommuncati. Therefore the etymology of Eskimo is not "eaters of raw meat," but "the excommunicated ones."

• (c)

  • 1852  This appellation is probably of Canadian origin, and the word, which in French orthography is written Esquimaux, was, probably, originally Ceux qui miaux (miaulent), and was expressive of the shouts of Tey-mō, proceeding from the fleets of kaiyaks, that surround a trading-vessel in the straits of Hudson, or coasts of Labrador.

• (d)

  • 1879  The word Esquimaux--better written Eskimo--is derived from a root indicating, in the language of the Northern tribes, a sorcerer. The Innuit name Kag-uskeeme means the house where the shamans, sorcerers, conduct their dances and incantations.

• 1 n. a member of a large group of North American aborigines inhabiting the Arctic and northern coastal areas from Greenland to Siberia. Also spelled Esquimau (pl. -aux).

  See also: Eskimo Indian  Esquimau  Husky (def. 1)  Innuit (def. 1)  Suckemo  'Skimo  

  • c1500  (1850)  [This yeere also were brought vnto the king three men, taken in the new founde Iland, that before spake of in William Purchas time, being Maior. These were clothed in beastes skinnes, and ate rawe fleshe, and spake such speech that no man coulde understand them, and in their demeanour like to bruite bestes, whom the king kept a time after.]
  • 1584  (1877)  What shoulde I speake of the customes of the greate multitudes of course clothes, Welshe frise, and Irishe ruggs that may be uttered in the more northerly partes of the land amonge the Esquimawes of the Grande Bay, and amonge them of Canada, Saguynay, and Hochelaga, w^ch are subjecte to sharpe and nippinge winters, albeit their somers be hotter moche then oures.
  • 1684  (1885)  Wee put into Harbour to avoide the Danger of it, as also to take in fresh Water & some other Provisions at the Coast of the Indians called Esquimos, the most cruel of all the salvages when the meet an advantage to surprize Persons.
  • 1748  (1949)  To the Northward among'st the Northward Indians, and Ehuskemay's they have neither of these beast's.
  • 1871  (1883)  The Esquimaux in the far-North run their dogs abreast.
  • 1965  . . . the Eskimo's ancestors prevailed over a vast expanse from easternmost Siberia to the Strait of Belle Isle and to Denmark Strait between Greenland and Iceland.

• 2 n. the language of these people.

  See also: Husky (def. 2)  Innuit (def. 2)  

  • 1819  When we arrived within hail, Sackheuse called out to them in his own language; some words were heard in return, to which a reply was again made in the Eskimaux, but neither party appeared to be in the least degree intelligible to the other.
  • 1885  It was originally, and the place is still, called New-nan-go, which, in Eskimo, means a hidden place.
  • 1965  If the [Wolf] Cub is an Eskimo he must be able to translate from Eskimo to another language and understand the system of Eskimo syllabics.

• 3 n. one of an aboriginal breed of dog, Canis familiaris borealis, probably originating in Siberia, trained by the Eskimo to draw sleds and carry packs.

  See also: Eskimo dog  

  • 1853  (1892)  My dogs, that I had counted on so largely, the nine splendid Newfoundlanders and thirty-five Esquimaux of six months before, had perished.
  • 1940  . . . the Eskimo dog . . . is known by such names as "husky" and "wolf dog," though in the Eastern Canadian Arctic it is customarily referred to simply as the "Eskimo," or by the native name, "Kingmik."
  • 1944  The dogs o' the Yukon an' Alaska are as different from Manitoba dogs as ours are different from the Eskimos!