Skookum
/ˈskuːkəm/noun
Excellent, strong, dependable, or impressive; in some historical uses, a powerful supernatural being.
Did you know?In Chinook Jargon, skookum could describe both extraordinary human strength and a powerful spirit or monster, giving the modern compliment “skookum” an eerie supernatural shadow.
Etymological Timeline
Pre-contact era
Chinookan
skʷúkʷum
“A powerful or supernatural being; the precise original Chinookan form and semantic range are debated.”
19th Century
Chinook Jargon
skookum
“Strong, powerful, good, reliable, or excellent; also a spirit or supernatural entity.”
1850s–1870s
Pacific Northwest English
skookum
“A regional English term for strong, capable, dependable, or first-rate.”
Late 19th Century
English
skookum
“A strong or impressive person or thing, especially in Western North American usage.”
Modern English
English
skookum
“Excellent, robust, reliable, or exceptionally good.”