totem

Where does the word "totem" come from? It comes from Ojibwe odoodem, and was adopted directly into English (1700s-1800s).

Totem’s story begins in Ojibwe: odoodem meant “a kinship emblem.” Meaning "his kinship group", an emblem representing a family or clan. It reached English by 1700s-1800s as totem. Ojibwe 'odoodem', his kinship group; the trader John Long recorded it in 1791. Today, totem means an emblem or symbol representing a family, clan, or belief system.

1. Stage 1 · Ojibwe · ancient odoodem "a kinship emblem", meaning "his kinship group", an emblem representing a family or clan.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1700s-1800s totem "an emblem representing a family, clan, or group", Ojibwe 'odoodem', his kinship group; the trader John Long recorded it in 1791.