Etymograph

English

geoduck

Geoduck comes from Lushootseed gʷidəq.

  1. Lushootseedmoderngʷidəq
  2. Englishearliest quotation 1881geoduck

attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed

Lineage

  1. Lushootseedmoderngʷidəq
  2. Englishearliest quotation 1881geoduck

Earliest quotation: 1881, H. Hemphill, No. 1: “Glycimeris generosa. Olympia, Washington Territory... The boys at Olympia…”

The story

From Lushootseed gʷidəq, variously understood as reference to its deep digging or resemblance to male genitalia. The unusual spelling of the first syllable is thought to represent editorial hypercorrection of forms with goe- &c. (probably under influence from the common prefix geo-), despite the earlier attestation of forms with geo-. The spelling pronunciation /ˈdʒiːəʊdʌk/ once listed in dictionaries is now considered nonstandard. The common spelling of the second syllable is under influence from duck, originally with reference to the mollusc's resemblance to the body and neck of a dead duck.

Every English word from Lushootseed gʷidəq

Today it means

noun The species of large saltwater clam Panopea generosa, native to the northeast Pacific coasts from Alaska to Washington State, distinguished by its deep burrowing and long unprotected siphon.

Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.

Etymograph / Lushootseed gʷidəq / geoduck

Shirt and support for this word