etymology of "wannabe"

[samuels at anthro.umass.edu]

Dear Benjamin,

Certainly "wannabe" is used by Native Americans, sometimes with the
emphasis on the second syllable to make it sound like the name of an exotic
tribe.  (Like the Hakawe tribe in "F-Troop," known in non-tv circles as the
"Fakawe.")  Usually used to refer to whites cathected to Indian
spirituality, in my experience.

That's not an etymology, of course...

Best,


David W. Samuels
Assistant Professor
Department of Anthropology
212 Machmer Hall
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, MA 01003

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email: samuels at anthro.umass.edu
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wot 2 be got 2 be