1
Stage 1 of 3
skwəkwə́m
Lower Chehalis (Salishan) · pre-1800s
"a ghost, spirit, or monster"
originally referred to a fearsome spirit or monster
2
Stage 2 of 3
skookum
Chinook Jargon · 1820s
"strong, powerful, genuine"
shifted in meaning from 'fearsome' to 'strong' or 'powerful' within the Pacific Northwest trade language
3
Stage 3 of 3
skookum
English · 1830s
"strong, excellent, impressive"
borrowed into regional English usage in British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom