Canuck

[markbellis]

http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mcanuck.html

Canuck is derived from the French practice of using "oque", sounds like "uck", as a suffix to make a derogatory form of a verb or noun for a particular nationality - for example, Americans are known as "Amerloques", Chinese "Chintoques" etc....

[samclem]

markbellis. Any chance you can tell me when the French practice of using loque as a derogatory suffix started? One assumes it goes back before the 1835 cite for the first use of Kanuk.

I wonder if the practice isn't more modern?

Interesting, and if provable, it would solve the origin of the word.

[Mycroft H.]

And for a total hijack –

Dex, my admiration, respect and worship of you knows no bounds. However, in your report you used a phrase that is a pet peeve of mine. You said

Jacques Cartier, the French navigator who discovered the St. Lawrence River …

(bolding mine)

Surely the First Nation/AmerIndian/native peoples had discovered it long before Jacques got there. :) I realize this is a minor point, and you likely intended “discovered for European explorers,” but I felt compelled to mention it.

[Tamealien]

markbellis. Any chance you can tell me when the French practice of using loque as a derogatory suffix started? One assumes it goes back before the 1835 cite for the first use of Kanuk.

I wonder if the practice isn't more modern?

Interesting, and if provable, it would solve the origin of the word.


My "Petit Robert" says that "Amerlot" as a derogatory form of Américain dates from 1936, and "Amerloque" from 1945...

[Steven_G]

I can't find any use of e.g. "amerloque" (or lok, loc etc.) earlier than mid '60s
I guess this is a recent development.

[C K Dexter Haven]

the French navigator who discovered the St. Lawrence River …
Mycroft, you'll note I didn't say he was the first person to discover the St. Lawrence River, I only said he discovered it. As have many after him.

OK, if you don't buy that, at least give me credit that I didn't say he invented it.