DCHP-2
pottie [< Cdn F; prob. from petit little (see 1773 quote), perhaps influenced by Cdn F potée person of little worth] Fur Trade, Slang, Hist. DCHP-1 (pre-1967)
THIS ENTRY MAY CONTAIN OUTDATED INFORMATION, TERMS and EXAMPLES
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.).
- 1773 (1954) [We had one Peter Pangman, a petty pedlar, down here [York Factory] to spy out the Market. . . .]