Etymology

Chicago

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Today it means: Any of various forms of the game of pool, designed for gambling. Full definition →

French Chécago ← Miami šikaakwa ← Proto-Algonquian *šeka·kwa
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The story

  1. Proto-Algonquian*šek-
  2. Proto-Algonquian*šeka·kwa
  3. Miamišikaakwa
  4. FrenchChécago
  5. English todayChicago

From French Chécagou, a transcription of Miami šikaakwa (“wild leek, ramp, Allium tricoccum; striped skunk”), from Proto-Algonquian *šeka·kwa; compare Ojibwe zhigaagawanzh /zhigaagawinzh (“onion, leek”), zhigaag (“striped skunk”). Doublet of skunk.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.