skookum (English)

Where does "skookum" come from?

The English adjective 'skookum', meaning 'excellent, impressive' or 'big, strong, durable, reliable, trustworthy, doughty'[1], was first attested between 1825 and 1835[1]. It was borrowed into English from Chinook Jargon[1]. The origin of the term traces further back to Lower Chehalis[1].

Open questions

• The precise historical path and underlying form from Lower Chehalis are not detailed in the source. [1]

Full etymology tree

• skookum (English), 'Excellent, impressive.'
  • borrowed (Chinook Jargon)
    • derived (Lower Chehalis)

Ancestors

• skookum (Chinook Jargon)

Sources

1. skookum (English) - Wiktionary

Updated September 2026

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Etymology data from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · About Miraris