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Eskimo

The origin and history of Eskimo.

Etymology

Recorded in English since the 16th century, borrowed via French from an Algonquian-language source, long thought to mean "eater of raw meat" though most linguists now trace it to a word meaning "snowshoe-netter."

Origin: French · First attested 1500

Class of 1500

Eskimo first entered the language around 1500. Other words from the same year:

See the full Class of 1500 →
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Etymology: FreeDict original editorial.