For centuries, Native American languages have been a source of influence for the English language. Many words from Native American languages have been adopted into English and are frequently used today. In this blog post, we will explore eight words that originated from Native American languages.
Word #1: "Guru"
The word "guru" comes from a Sanskrit word that was adopted into the Native American language, Hindi. It was then adopted into English, where it is used to describe someone who is an expert or a teacher.
Word #2: "Totem"
The word "totem" originated from the Ojibwe language and is used to refer to a type of animal or spirit that is associated with a particular family or group. It can also be used to refer to an object that symbolizes a particular family or group.
Word #3: "Moccasin"
The word "moccasin" originated from an Algonquian word and is used to refer to a type of shoe that is typically made from soft leather and is designed to protect the feet in cold weather.
Word #4: "Sashay"
The word "sashay" originated from an Abenaki word and is used to describe a type of dance or a graceful walk. It is often used in a humorous manner to refer to someone who is walking in a confident or flamboyant manner.
Word #5: "Caribou"
The word "caribou" originated from a Mi'kmaq word and is used to refer to an arctic deer species.
Word #6: "Kayak"
The word "kayak" originated from an Inuit word and is used to refer to a type of small boat that is propelled by a double-bladed paddle.
Word #7: "Succotash"
The word "succotash" originated from a Narragansett word and is used to refer to a dish that is made from corn and lima beans.
Word #8: "Hammock"
The word "hammock" originated from an Arawak word and is used to refer to a type of bed or chair that is suspended from two points.
These eight words are just a few examples of words that originated from Native American languages. Native American languages have been a source of influence for the English language for centuries and continue to be an important part of our language today.