DCHP-1 Online

pottie [< Cdn F; prob. from petit little (see 1773 quote), perhaps influenced by Cdn F potée person of little worth] Fur Trade, Slang, Hist.

• 1 n. a member of the X.Y. Company.

  See also: Little Company  Little Potties  X.Y. Company  

  • 1773  (1954)  [We had one Peter Pangman, a petty pedlar, down here [York Factory] to spy out the Market. . . .]
  • 1800  (1890)  Last night, he gave a large keg to the Montagners . . . but as soon as he was out of sight they went to the Potties to take credits.
  • 1800  (1933)  [They] cannot keep their own Indians from going to trade with our people, who are so near a little Poté opposition & short of Goods at the same time.
  • 1897  The "X.Y. Co.," [was] also styled in derision the "Little Company" (whence probably the nickname "Potties," by Indian corruption of F. Les Petits, "Little Ones.")
  • 1954  Meantime Simon McTavish was taking strong measures to meet the opposition from the X.Y. "potties."

• 2 n. a member of the Hudson's Bay Company. See quote.

  See also: Hudson's Bay Company  

  • 1821  (1938)  My services would be required as a bully in Athabasca to fight with and beat the servants of the H.B. Coy. (usually nick named "putties" by the N.W. Coy.).