eulachon

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

Eulachon’s story begins in Lower Chinook: u-łalxʷən meant “a small, oily fish.” Named the small, oil-rich smelt prized for its fat content. By 1800s, the word had taken hold in Chinook Jargon as ulakan. Carried into the Pacific Northwest trade language spoken among many peoples. It reached English by 1790s-1800s as eulachon. Anglicized by fur traders and explorers along the Pacific coast. Today, eulachon means a small, oil-rich fish of the Pacific coast, historically so fatty it could be dried and burned like a candle.

1. Stage 1 · Lower Chinook · pre-1800s u-łalxʷən "a small, oily fish", named the small, oil-rich smelt prized for its fat content.
2. Stage 2 · Chinook Jargon · 1800s ulakan "a small, oil-rich fish, also called candlefish", carried into the Pacific Northwest trade language spoken among many peoples.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1790s-1800s eulachon "a small, oily anadromous fish, also called candlefish", anglicized by fur traders and explorers along the Pacific coast.