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Eulachon

3 stages from Lower Chinook to English.

Today it means a small, oil-rich fish of the Pacific coast, historically so fatty it could be dried and burned like a candle

Where does the word "eulachon" come from? It comes from Lower Chinook u-łalxʷən, passing through Chinook Jargon before entering English (1790s-1800s).

u-łalxʷən→ulakan→eulachon

Lower Chinook · pre-1800s

"a small, oily fish"

named the small, oil-rich smelt prized for its fat content

Chinook Jargon · 1800s

"a small, oil-rich fish, also called candlefish"

carried into the Pacific Northwest trade language spoken among many peoples

English · 1790s-1800s

"a small, oily anadromous fish, also called candlefish"

anglicized by fur traders and explorers along the Pacific coast

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