butterfly

[Rory M Larson]

>> Another example that I seem to recall, with apologies to everyone, is
>> Quapaw mikka sabe (not sure I have the proper Quapaw forms) 'black
>> person', literally 'black raccoon', recalling racist English usage.  I
>> think in this case the opportunity to pun with nikka ~ mikka was a
factor.
>
> This happens in Osage, too, although with some degree of variation.  I
have
> heard both níhka sape and something begining with an m.  Curiously, the m
> form of (n~m)i(hk)a sa(pe) comes out sounding like "miá sa" by just about
> everyone that uses it.  I have been told that it is in fact the same pun
> that you mentioned above.  And I also apologize for this, as it is
> definitely not my intention of offending anyone.

I'd like to know which way the borrowing went.
If it's a natural pun in Dhegihan, could southern
U.S. English slang have borrowed the meaning from
bilingual Quapaw or Osage speakers?

Rory