# Canadian Dopers...is Skookum a family friendly word? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 23, 2017, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-is-skookum-a-family-friendly-word/782807 "2017-03-23T01:49:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2017, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-is-skookum-a-family-friendly-word/782807/1 "2017-03-23T01:49:59Z")
I hear this word quite a bit on one Canadian fellow’s Youtube channel, but he curses liberally so I want to be sure it’s not an offensive term. In fact, I find myself often wanting to describe something as skookum. My wife brought home a pretty substantial artist’s easel made of heavy duty maple, and my first thought was to say “Wow, that’s a pretty skookum easel” So, in short, can I say Skookum around Canadians and not offend anyone? ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2017, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-is-skookum-a-family-friendly-word/782807/2 "2017-03-23T01:53:20Z")
> [@minor7flat5](#): > > I hear this word quite a bit on one Canadian fellow’s Youtube channel, but he curses liberally so I want to be sure it’s not an offensive term. > > In fact, I find myself often wanting to describe something as skookum. My wife brought home a pretty substantial artist’s easel made of heavy duty maple, and my first thought was to say “Wow, that’s a pretty skookum easel” > > So, in short, can I say Skookum around Canadians and not offend anyone? My understanding from a Calgary friend is yes. But the better question is this: Does she chooch? ---
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2017, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-is-skookum-a-family-friendly-word/782807/4 "2017-03-23T02:09:02Z")
Darn…it’s such a handy word. I guess it’s kind of like how some of my friends say “wow, that’s ghettotastic” but I wouldn’t use that word myself. As **Pork Rind** hinted at, this question would be a good one to identify machinists / mechanics in the crowd. ---
**Author:** ![Zeke\_N.Destroi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/4af34b/32.png) [@Zeke\_N.Destroi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeke_N.Destroi)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2017, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-is-skookum-a-family-friendly-word/782807/5 "2017-03-23T02:26:19Z")
> [@Quelqu\_un](#): > > The word in itself isn’t offensive, but it’s appropriated from indigenous people so I wouldn’t recommend using it. Horse pucky! It isn’t “appropriated” anymore than any other word of non-English derivation is. By your logic we should avoid; toboggan, bannock, chinook, igloo, caribou, chipmunk, hickory, husky and Christ only knows how many others. Not to mention the fact that half of the lexicon of English is “appropriated” (how many English words are French, Spanish, Indian, African etc.) Skookum is family friendly - it’s just a superlative. ---
**Author:** ![kurtisokc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbce88/32.png) [@kurtisokc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kurtisokc)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2017, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-is-skookum-a-family-friendly-word/782807/6 "2017-03-23T03:02:45Z")
> [@Zeke\_N.Destroi](#): > > By your logic we should avoid; toboggan, bannock, chinook, igloo, caribou, chipmunk, hickory, husky and **Christ** only knows how many others. (bolding mine) And Christ is another appropriated word. ---
**Author:** ![Zeke\_N.Destroi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/4af34b/32.png) [@Zeke\_N.Destroi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeke_N.Destroi)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2017, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-is-skookum-a-family-friendly-word/782807/8 "2017-03-23T03:49:07Z")
> [@Quelqu\_un](#): > > That’s not what cultural appropriation is. Igloo and bannock aren’t problematic because those are the actual names of specific things. Casually using a word from outside your culture just because you like how it sounds can be appropriative, though it partly depends on context. No, it is linguistic assimilation. A process by which languages have always grown and will continue to do so. And when you start by claiming it **is** appropriative and then back-pedal to, “it **can** be - **dependent** **in part on context** ” makes your implied functional definition of appropriation so hazy as to be utterly meaningless. How about this, the use of the word is indicative of the influence of native culture in BC and shows a degree of respect. So I reiterate… horse pucky! ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2017, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-is-skookum-a-family-friendly-word/782807/9 "2017-03-23T07:47:50Z")
> [@Pork\_Rind](#): > > My understanding from a Calgary friend is yes. But the better question is this: Does she chooch? I almost wish for the camera to lose focus each time. Keep yer dick in a vice! ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2017, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-is-skookum-a-family-friendly-word/782807/10 "2017-03-23T12:08:31Z")
Skookum merely means strong, big, reliable, genuine in [Chinook jargon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinook_Jargon). E.g., a skookum current is a strong current. Very family friendly unless you are combining it with other words which create an off color meaning. Chinook jargon was used by all types of people on the N Pacific Coast: natives, fur traders, fishermen, lumberjacks, and all sorts of imported workers from around the world. It imported words from a variety of language including French and Spanish. While this word had Native American origins, it was far from an exclusively Native language. BTW: While it was used as far north as coastal southern BC, it was mainly a coastal US PNW jargon. Died out mostly during WWII due to the large number of people moving to the NW for defense jobs. ---
**Author:** ![Francis\_Vaughan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/francis_vaughan/32/3093_2.png) [@Francis\_Vaughan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Francis_Vaughan)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2017, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-is-skookum-a-family-friendly-word/782807/11 "2017-03-23T13:02:17Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > Keep yer dick in a vice! He’s a lovely lad isn’t he? I was almost tempted by his new FR4 welder’s rule. But I’m not sure the hair width gauge would pass PC muster. ---
**Author:** ![chrisk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@chrisk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chrisk)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2017, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-is-skookum-a-family-friendly-word/782807/12 "2017-03-23T13:07:43Z")
Never heard of that word–but then, I’m pretty far from the prairies. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2017, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-is-skookum-a-family-friendly-word/782807/13 "2017-03-23T13:34:52Z")
> [@chrisk](#): > > Never heard of that word–but then, I’m pretty far from the prairies. Agreed. That word never made it to Ontario. I’ve never heard it. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2017, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-is-skookum-a-family-friendly-word/782807/14 "2017-03-23T13:53:04Z")
> [@Zeke\_N.Destroi](#): > > And when you start by claiming it **is** appropriative and then back-pedal to, “it **can** be - **dependent** **in part on context** ” makes your implied functional definition of appropriation so hazy as to be utterly meaningless. Yes, he’s retreating from [the bailey to the motte](http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Motte_and_bailey) (both words “appropriated” from the French.) ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2017, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-is-skookum-a-family-friendly-word/782807/15 "2017-03-23T13:53:55Z")
It’s commonly used in Alaska without having any pejorative meaning. As noted, it’s used as an expression of admiration for something strong. ---
**Author:** ![FluffyBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecb155/32.png) [@FluffyBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FluffyBob)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2017, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-is-skookum-a-family-friendly-word/782807/16 "2017-03-23T14:04:31Z")
There is even a Skookumchuck in the east Kootenays. Skookum is a great word, you hear it in Alberta but usually only from BC influence. Never knew about the Chinook Jargon, very interesting; had assumed it was from the Kootenai language. Ave is pretty interesting, not surprised there are some doper fans. I grew up with one friend and have worked with a few people that spoke in a similar manor. Interior BC working english. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2017, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-is-skookum-a-family-friendly-word/782807/17 "2017-03-23T14:05:33Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > It’s commonly used in Alaska without having any pejorative meaning. As noted, it’s used as an expression of admiration for something strong. Also, not connected etymologically to snookums, [I see](http://www.alphadictionary.com/goodword/word/snookums). ---
**Author:** ![Corry\_El](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecae2f/32.png) [@Corry\_El](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Corry_El)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2017, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-is-skookum-a-family-friendly-word/782807/18 "2017-03-23T14:06:37Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Agreed. That word never made it to Ontario. > > I’ve never heard it. As ftg noted the term isn’t particularly Canadian but regional, Pacific Northwest. There’s a ‘Skookum’ brand of heavy rigging (chains blocks and such) as for logging and shipping, hq’ed in Oregon. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tooth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c67d28/32.png) [@The\_Tooth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tooth)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2017, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-is-skookum-a-family-friendly-word/782807/19 "2017-03-23T14:19:49Z")
> [@minor7flat5](#): > > I hear this word quite a bit on one Canadian fellow’s Youtube channel, but he curses liberally so I want to be sure it’s not an offensive term. > > In fact, I find myself often wanting to describe something as skookum. My wife brought home a pretty substantial artist’s easel made of heavy duty maple, and my first thought was to say “Wow, that’s a pretty skookum easel” > > So, in short, can I say Skookum around Canadians and not offend anyone? Well, you won’t offend me because I’ve never heard it before. Lived in western Canada all my life. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2017, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-is-skookum-a-family-friendly-word/782807/20 "2017-03-23T14:35:07Z")
> [@chrisk](#): > > Never heard of that word–but then, I’m pretty far from the prairies. Not a prairie word. BC and coastal. I’ve heard it, but very rarely. ---
**Author:** ![gregorio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/fbc32d/32.png) [@gregorio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gregorio)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2017, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-is-skookum-a-family-friendly-word/782807/21 "2017-03-23T15:18:48Z")
What they all said. Heard it occasionally in Vancouver (North Van). Rarely or never in Calgary. I don’t think I’ve ever really used it. I would someone who used it was from BC. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2017, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-is-skookum-a-family-friendly-word/782807/22 "2017-03-23T15:28:56Z")
Extreme northwest corner of Washington state reporting in. I hear ‘skookum’ occasionally up here. It mostly seems to be used by people who grew up in the area, though I’ve used it once or twice when a synonym failed to come to mind. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-is-skookum-a-family-friendly-word/782807.md?page=2)