chipmunk

Where does the word "chipmunk" come from? It comes from Ojibwe ajidamoo, and was adopted directly into English (1800s).

Chipmunk’s story begins in Ojibwe: ajidamoo meant “red squirrel/chipmunk.” Literally "one who descends trees headfirst". It reached English by 1800s as chipmunk. Perhaps from Ojibwe 'ajidamoo', red squirrel, reshaped by English 'chip' and 'munk'. Today, chipmunk means a small striped rodent related to squirrels.

1. Stage 1 · Ojibwe · pre-1800s ajidamoo "red squirrel/chipmunk", literally "one who descends trees headfirst".
2. Stage 2 · English · 1800s chipmunk "the small striped ground squirrel", perhaps from Ojibwe 'ajidamoo', red squirrel, reshaped by English 'chip' and 'munk'.