translation question

[Michael Denner]

SEELANGers,

I looked in the OED for the history of the expression. Apparently the phrase
originally meant that the giver expected a gift of equal value in return,
much as Tony indicated in his last email. Here are the relevant quotations:

1860 BARTLETT Dict. Amer., *Indian giver, When an Indian gives any thing, he
expects to receive an equivalent, or to have his gift returned. 1892 H. C.
BOLTON in Jrnl. Amer. Folk-Lore V. 68 If an American child, who has made a
small gift to a playmate is indiscreet enough to ask that the gift be
returned, he (or she) is immediately accused of being an Indian-giver, or,
as it is commonly pronounced Injun-giver. 1904 N.Y. Herald 10 Sept. 5 Later
he took the position of the ‘Indian giver’ and wanted the money back. 1939
Time 23 Oct. 4/1 Call us Indian-giver. 1965 R. MANHEIM tr. Grass's Dog Yrs.
I. 12 ‘You threw my knife.’ ‘It was my knife. Don't be an Indian giver.’
1971 M. MCCARTHY Birds of America 29 He wanted the little violin which Hans,
an Indian giver, took back to the store.
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----
 1837 W. IRVING Capt. Bonneville II. vi. 71 His experience in what is
proverbially called ‘*Indian giving’ made him aware that a parting pledge
was necessary on his own part. 1962 B. SPOCK Problems of Parents (1968) II.
50 The one-year-old who has yelled bloody murder during his physical
examination may, ten minutes later..sweetly hand him a toy and then take it
back. This latter trick may look like Indian giving.

***
So, I think Tony's right. The impression I get from the expression's usage
and history is that, so far as the NATIVE AMERICANS in question are
concerned, "Indian giving" was part of a gift ritual, and not gross
adventitiousness.

mad
<><><><><><><><><><><><>
Michael A. Denner
Russian Studies Program
Stetson University
Campus Box 8361
DeLand, FL 32724
386.822.7381
http://www.stetson.edu/organizations/russian_club/mypage.htm

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