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Where does the word "potlatch" come from? It comes from Chinook Jargon patlach, and was adopted directly into English (1800s).
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Where does the word "potlatch" come from? It comes from Chinook Jargon patlach, and was adopted directly into English (1800s).
Potlatch’s story begins in Chinook Jargon: patlach meant “giving, a gift.” Meaning "giving" or "a gift". It reached English by 1800s as potlatch. Adopted for the ceremonial gift-giving feast of Pacific Northwest peoples. Today, potlatch means a ceremonial feast among Pacific Northwest peoples featuring gift-giving.
- Stage 1 · Chinook Jargon · 1800s patlach "giving, a gift", meaning "giving" or "a gift".
- Stage 2 · English · 1800s potlatch "a ceremonial gift-giving feast", adopted for the ceremonial gift-giving feast of Pacific Northwest peoples.