Cliack

/ˈkliæk/ noun

Definition

In indigenous Pacific Northwest terminology, the female salmon after spawning, or a type of salmon-related term.

Etymology

From Chinook Jargon or related Pacific Northwest Native American languages. Used historically by indigenous peoples and early colonists to describe salmon life stages and types.

Kelly Says

Cliack is a reminder that English borrowed salmon-terminology from indigenous peoples who knew these fish intimately—names like sockeye and chinook came the same way, showing how language absorbs local expertise.

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