Re: "Squaw Debate"

John E. Koontz (koontz@alpha.bldr.nist.gov)
Thu, 21 Apr 1994 01:07:30 -0500


This correction on the origin of kangaroo was sent me by david Nash. I hope
he won't mind me posting it! He also offers more examples of native
Australian words in Australian English and a reference on the subject.

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Date: Wed, 20 Apr 94 07:28:33 EST
Subject: loans

... just like the Australian situation, as you say.

Minor correction: kangaroo actually comes from Gugu Yimithirr from Cook's
1770 landfall at Endeavour River on eastern Cape York, then spread by the
colonists at Sydney from 1788.

Other examples from Eora/Dharuk (the Massachusett of Australia!) are gin (as
you have), dingo, koala, wallaby, wombat, boomerang, woomera, corroboree,
cooee.

A good reference on the topic is Dixon, RMW, WS Ramson & M Thomas. 1991.
_Aboriginal Words in Australian English_. OUP.