Chipmunk
/ˈtʃɪp.mʌŋk/noun
A small striped squirrel-like rodent of North America.
Did you know?The word was borrowed into English from a Native American language, likely Ojibwe, and early English spellings varied wildly as speakers tried to capture a sound they’d never written before.
Etymological Timeline
Pre-17th Century
Ojibwe
ajidamoo
“A squirrel (likely the source behind the English word) or a similar small squirrel-like animal.”
17th Century
English
chipmonk
“An early anglicized spelling for the small striped rodent of North America.”
18th Century
English
chipmunk
“Standardized English form for the animal.”
Modern English
English
chipmunk
“A small, striped, burrowing rodent of the squirrel family.”