Autonym of Mosopeleas-Ouesperies-Ofos

[Alan H. Hartley]

> Such a construction would be impossible in Illinois, whatever it was
> supposed to mean.

Michael's lengthy message on the subject is in the Siouan List archives 
for May 2004, under the "'eight' some more" thread (216 lines).

It's a moot point for the OED for the time being, as the editors chose 
not to include OFOGOULA in the current revision, presumably for lack of 
sufficient attestations in published English-language sources.

I found I did submit a revision of the etymology slip in 2005, but I 
changed only the first paragraph. In the second paragraph, I persisted 
with "probably" instead of "possibly" for the Illinois etymology. Dave's 
message tonight suggests that even "possibly" is too strong. Maybe 
Michael could discuss his proposal with Dave. I'd like to be able to 
submit another revision with a surer assessment of the possibility of an 
Algonquian etymon--just in case OFOGOULA makes it in in the future!

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OFOGOULA  n.

 From a Mobilian Jargon or Muskogean name, which is a reanalysis as 
'dog-people', incorporating Mobilian <-oucoula> 'people', of a 
non-Muskogean name of uncertain origin; cf. Chickasaw ofi? 'dog' and 
okla 'town', Choctaw ofi 'dog' and oklah 'people', and Apalachee akola 
'people'.

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Alan