"Cywash", "cheechako" (Valdez, AK, 1912) ... repost from ADS-L

[David D. Robertson]

From:         Bapopik at AOL.COM
Subject:      No "jazz" in Alaska
Comments: To: ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
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   According to one theory (Bert Kelly), "jazz" was spoken in Alaska around
the turn of the century.  I've looked before, and I looked at the Valdez
newspapers today.  I didn't find it.

10 February 1917, VALDEZ WEEKLY MINER, "A CHEECHACO'S VIEWS ON ALASKA," pg.
8, col. 4:
  Slang is almost unknown, but the necessities of a novel situation have of
course led them to adopt new words unknown in the East, although some are
used else where.  A "sourdough" is an old Alaskan; a poke, an old English
word; a "cheechaco" is a newcomer; a "Cywash" is an Indian.  This word is a
corruption of the French "sauvage."  To "mush" is to travel on foot.  This
is derived from the French verb "marcher."  An obedient dog, when told to
mush will leave the premises. (...)

17 March 1912, VALDEZ WEEKLY MINER, pg. 6, col. 4:
_"ICE WORM"_
   _WIGGLE STEP_
_TYPICAL ALASKAN DANCE EVOLVED_
   _AT WHITE HORSE SOON_
   _TO BE THE RAGE_
   Whitehorse, March 16.  With the angle worm wriggle, the grizzly bear
dance, the turkey trot and other risque dances, the rage outside since many
of the soiurdoughs last saw an electric car, a typical Alaskan dance has
evolved here.
   The new terpsichorean step has been named the "Ice-Worm Wiggle."
Although the dance has not been given in public yet, it is said to be very
bizarre in its nature, recalling the old Dawson dance hall days.

28 November 1917, VALDEZ DAILY PROSPECTOR, pg. 1, cols. 3-4 photo caption:
   "M-M-M!  Turkey for Thanksgiving!"
(See "mmm" in ADS-L archives--ed.)