Chinookan

/tʃɪˈnʊkən/ adjective

Definition

Relating to the Chinook people, their languages, or their culture from the Pacific Northwest.

Etymology

From 'Chinook' (the indigenous people of the Columbia River region) + '-an' (suffix making adjectives). The Chinook name itself likely comes from a Sahaptin word meaning 'strong people.'

Kelly Says

The Chinook people gave the world 'Chinook jargon'—a wild mixed language that blended Chinook, English, French, and Native words to trade across the entire Pacific Northwest!

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