skookum

I was reading capucha’s post about words in different languages that don’t translate to English & I realized that I use one all the time… skookum!

It’s a Chinook Indian word here in the Pacific NorthWest and it has quite a few meanings, but they’re all positive.

Often it means good, strong, best, powerful, ultimate, brave & first rate.  

Or it can mean that something is really tough & durable.  

When talking about food it can mean big and tasty, but it also means delicious and hearty.  

In reference to a person it means that they live with purpose, are in good health and have their feet on the ground.  

Though sometimes it just means that someone is trustworthy, honest, reliable and deserving of respect.  

Or it might just mean that someone is big & strong.

A skookum house is prison, a skookum tumtum is someone with a good heart.

When the Chinook use it in their language it also acts as a verb meaning “to be able”.

And if you find yourself in a skookumchuck hang on because you’ve hit a patch of rough rapids.  While you’re there watch out for skookum creatures in the forest, a cousin of the Sasquatch that lives in Oregon.

Have a skookum Thanksgiving Sunday everyone!