Etymology Map
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Salal

3 stages from Lower Chinook to English.

Today it means a Pacific Northwest evergreen shrub with edible dark berries and leathery leaves used in floral arrangements

Where does the word "salal" come from? It comes from Lower Chinook sálal, passing through Chinook Jargon before entering English (1814).

1
Stage 1 of 3
sálal
Lower Chinook · pre-1800s
"a berry-producing evergreen shrub"
named the leathery-leaved shrub with edible dark berries
2
Stage 2 of 3
salal
Chinook Jargon · 1800s
"a shrub with edible berries, valued by coastal peoples"
carried into the Pacific Northwest trade language spoken by explorers and traders
3
Stage 3 of 3
salal
English · 1814
"a native Pacific Northwest shrub with edible dark purple berries"
recorded in English by botanist David Douglas during his expeditions in the Pacific Northwest
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