Origin of "Coquille"?

[hzenk at PDX.EDU]

> "Finally, Scott Byram pursues the origin of the name Coquille and its
> pronunciation. He traces the evolution of the name for the river from
> Coquell (pronounced "kå-kwel" and derived from the Chinook jargon word for
> lamprey) to Coquille (pronounced kå-keel"), with its supposed origin in
> the French word for shell."
>

I like this proposal, but am troubled by the lack of any attestation  
of CJ skakwal 'lamprey' without the Chinookan dual s- (if there is any  
such, I'm not aware of it offhand).  The dual here makes about as much  
intuitive sense as it does in 'robin', making the point that gender is  
more conventional than always rational in Chinookan.  Henry

To respond to the CHINOOK list, click 'REPLY ALL'.  To respond privately to the sender of a message, click 'REPLY'.  Hayu masi!