' ‘ ALASKA. LOCALISMS.. - by 1st .Lieutenant Clyde Grady, 7th Inf
Micoola. Alaska beer# This word is evidently of sourdough origin.
Skookun. This appears to be an Indian word, meaning, healthy, strong, robust
Limit . This word is used a great deal in this country. Lcokinm down stream
the right hand side is called the "right limit" and the left side is the left
limit" of the stream. T/i/hile on the other hand when looking up a river, all strea
coming in on the right are called "right forks" and those coming in on the left
side are known as "left forks".
Parka (Par-kee) sometimes also spelled Farkay. This is defined by Century,
as a double fur coat, cut like a shirt, worn by natives of eastern Siberia, and
of arctic Alaska. It takes the place of an overcoat, and has no opening in front
or back, except at the neck and is slipped on over the head. They a.re made of
various materials such as duck ordenim with fur trimmings# Some of the finest
•parkas are made of reindeer fawn skins, and the hood which is attached is made of
wolf and wolverine pelts# These animals to the Eskimo and Indian is an emblem of
good luck. The parka is a Russian word.
Mucklucks (Eskimo ragbag, Ground Seal) .In Alaska a seal; also sealskin.^
The high boot of the Alaskan Eskimo a.nd of the Aleutians, is mF.de of sealskin, "v/it.i
soles of ground-seal hide# Also spelled muck-a-luck. (Century Dictionary) •
These boots are also made of reindeer legs. Large gloves are made of genuine
wolf heads and are worn with the parka, hood and rmckalucks.
Mush. This word seems to have originally meant to travel tnrou.cn ujc ww*
whilB driving a dop; sled in the Arctic, and a fAisher was the driver of the dog
team. In speaking to dogs, to mush meant to go, and mush on, meant to go on*
Of later years the old sourdoughs seem to use it when they merely mean to walk or
travel.
Outside. Often one hears the question, "are you going outside'1, meaning to
the states, and inside means just the opposite; but the inside or interior refe: s
to that part of the Territory north of the Alaska range of mountains.
Siwashing* Camping out in the open without shelter of any kind except that
which is made from brush and limbs of trees, or it may mean lying by the campfire
unprotected from the weather.
Quartz. Rock-crystal.
Placer. This is a Spanish word meaning pleasure, and also a place where
gold dust is found. It is a deposit of gold not a vein and is obtained by washir.r
out with a stream of water.
Sluice Box. A trough nr.de of planks or boards, used for separating gold
from sand and gravel. The trough is set on a grade, and the water which is turns,
into it carries off the sard and gravel, leaving the gold. (To be continued) •
HEARD BY RADIO,
$150,000' was appropriated By Congress la3t week for rural post roads.
The outcome of the recent German election was satisfactory to our govern
ment in that the party placed in power is strongly in favor of the Dawes Plan.
Over 2000 undelivered letters were found in the home of a postman who died
in Belfast, Ireland, two years ago.
Monday night it was 33 decrees below zero in Calgary. All communication
to the westward of that city was cut off on account of heavy snowstorms.
Last Thursday night a banquet was held at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, New
York City, in honor of Owen G.Young a member of the Dawes Reparation Committee.
A large gathering of nationally known men were present* Speeches were made by
Secretary of State, Hughs, Attorney General Wickersham and The Attorney General of
France* These speeches and others were relaid by radio across the country and local
radio fans had no trouble picking them up.
Heavy floods were reported in the Frazer River valley in Western Canada
this week.
The Elks of Santa Monica, Cal., are holding a large "Christmas Cheer Ball"
on the Santa Monica pier to raise funds for needy families.