muckamuck

Where does the word "muckamuck" come from? It comes from Nuu-chah-nulth ma·ḥo·ma(q-), passing through Chinook Jargon before entering English (1850s-1860s).

Muckamuck’s story begins in Nuu-chah-nulth: ma·ḥo·ma(q-) meant “food, part of whale meat.” Referred to a rich part of whale meat, later broadened to mean food or plenty. By 1800s, the word had taken hold in Chinook Jargon as hayo muckamuck. Combined with 'hiyu' (plenty) to mean 'plenty to eat' in the Pacific Northwest trade language. It reached English by 1850s-1860s as high muckamuck. Folk-etymologized in English as 'high', producing a phrase for an important, self-important person. Today, muckamuck means an important or self-important person, often used humorously, as in 'high muckamuck'.

1. Stage 1 · Nuu-chah-nulth · pre-1800s ma·ḥo·ma(q-) "food, part of whale meat", referred to a rich part of whale meat, later broadened to mean food or plenty.
2. Stage 2 · Chinook Jargon · 1800s hayo muckamuck "plenty of food", combined with 'hiyu' (plenty) to mean 'plenty to eat' in the Pacific Northwest trade language.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1850s-1860s high muckamuck "an important or self-important person", folk-etymologized in English as 'high', producing a phrase for an important, self-important person.