Etymology

geoduck

G2E1O1D2U1C3K5

Today it means: The species of large saltwater clam Panopea generosa, native to the northeast Pacific coasts from Alaska to Washington State, distinguished by its deep burrowing and long unprotected siphon. Full definition →

Lushootseed gʷidəq
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The story

  1. Lushootseed · borrowed fromgʷidəq
  2. English todaygeoduck

From Lushootseed gʷidəq, variously understood as reference to its deep digging or resemblance to male genitalia. The unusual spelling of the first syllable is thought to represent editorial hypercorrection of forms with goe- &c. (probably under influence from the common prefix geo-), despite the earlier attestation of forms with geo-. The spelling pronunciation /ˈdʒiːəʊdʌk/ once listed in dictionaries is now considered nonstandard. The common spelling of the second syllable is under influence from duck, originally with reference to the mollusc's resemblance to the body and neck of a dead duck.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.