sockeye

Where does the word "sockeye" come from? It comes from Halkomelem sθəqəy̓, and was adopted directly into English (1870s).

Sockeye’s story begins in Halkomelem: sθəqəy̓ meant “red salmon.” Named the red-fleshed salmon species; the name means 'red fish'. It reached English by 1870s as sockeye. Borrowed and folk-etymologized by English-speaking fishers on the Pacific coast. Today, sockeye means a species of Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) known for its bright red flesh.

1. Stage 1 · Halkomelem · pre-1800s sθəqəy̓ "red salmon", named the red-fleshed salmon species; the name means 'red fish'.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1870s sockeye "a species of Pacific salmon prized for its deep red flesh", borrowed and folk-etymologized by English-speaking fishers on the Pacific coast.