"che-muck"

[David Robertson]

Klahowyam / LaXiyEm, kanawi-Laksta / konaway klaksta,

Would it be too obvious a deus ex Maquinna move to suggest a CJ etymology
for this word?...

"Che-muck (NW) The miner's term for food.  A word apparently borrowed from
the Indians; current among miners in the 1890s, but possibly first heard
much earlier.  (Mathews 1951)"

[from page 83 of Peter Watts' "A Dictionary of the Old West", published in
New York by Alfred A. Knopf in 1977.  He is referring to Mitford M.
Mathews' "A Dictionary of Americanisms on Historical Principles", from the
U. of Chicago Press.]

Off the topic:  Peter Watts is much better known as Matt Chisholm or Cy
James -- a prolific author of 'Westerns' in print.  Clearly a guy who does
his homework!  Very entertaining dictionary, this.

Best from
Dave



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