DCHP-1 Online

mamaloos(h) [< Chinook Jargon memaloost < Chinook memalust die, dead] Pacific Coast

• v. adj. die; kill; dead; dying.

  • Many small islands in British Columbia are locally known as "Mamaloos Island," having been used as burial grounds. "Deadman's Island," off Stanley Park in Vancouver, is one of them.

  • 1858  (1937)  . . . each in his turn had to keep watch, with revolver in hand, that the Indians did not steal our provisions, as well as Mamaloose us while asleep.
  • 1926  I asked him what the matter was . . . and pulling the skin of his leg, he answered "Memeloust--small pox."
  • 1956  The Reverend Thomas Pearne, an Indian, said, "Moses, memaloose (dead)." I knew Moses.
  • 1963  "My papoose going mamaloosh I t'ink."