DCHP-3

haweater

Geography
DCHP-3 (Oct 2024)

Spelling variants:
haw eater, haw-eater

1n. especially Ontario and Manitoba

someone from Manitoulin Island, Ontario.

Type: 1. Origin A name for residents from Manitoulin island for at least a century (see the 1927 quotation).

Quotations

1927
Dear Homemaker: For four years I lived (yes, really lived, in every sense of the word) on Manitoulin Island, and it rather jarred to see recently a letter, from one of those admirable people over the signature "Manitoulin Hameater." I mean the signature jarred, Homemaker, dear, it should be "Manitoulin Haw-eater," and you would know the reason if you were ever on the Island. It is a wild spot (a big spot, mark you) in the winter, but beautiful in its wilderness, and in summer it is a veritable paradise: unexpected wee lakes at every bend of the road, the bush so full of flowers, shrubs, berries and mushrooms. [...] Ben-My-Chree.
It was a misprint, "Ben-My-Chree." It was meant for "Manitoulin Haweater." I heard such a lot about the beauties of the Island las summer from a relative wo spent his holidays there. He made me feel that I should have to plan a trip there myself just as soon as possible. It must be very lovely.
1987
It might also be of interest to Mr. Green to know that anyone born on the Manitoulin is proud to be known as a "Haweater" and not only do we have a Haweater weekend annually, but there are several Haweater clubs in Metro Toronto.
1989
Everywhere we travelled on the island we heard the term "Haweater." It's a local expression for a native Manitouliner who earned the name, as legend has it, from the early settlers who were said to have escaped famine by eating sour haw berries.
1990
A "Haweater" is someone who is born on Manitoulin Island.
1999
And the first question anyone usually asks is what is a Haweater? Anyone born on Manitoulin Island is a Haweater, but the people of this isle are always willing to let anyone be an honourary one, at least for homecoming weekend.
2004
Being a natural born Islander myself (a Haweater), I don't think Islanders are particularly xenophobic toward newcomers (non- Haweaters).
2024
HOUSTON, TEXAS—Greg Major, a Haweater who is originally from Gore Bay, will be skip on the Houston Curling Club men’s rink, and coaching the women’s team at the US Arena National Championships next month.
2n especially Ontario and Manitoba

a beer from Manitoulin Island.

Type: 3. Semantic Change An expansion of def. 1, where haweater indexed local roots, now applied to an island product (see Image 1).
Spelled as a proper noun with capital H: Haweater beer

Quotations

1971
Manitoulin, largest fresh water island in the world, is considered one of Ontario's finest fishing areas. It is a land of rocky cliffs, lookouts, unusual scenery, empty spaces, low rates for tourist accommodation and rough roads. It is the home of a beer, Haweater, that can be bought only on the island.
The highway west from Little Current, 540, follows the North Channel, separating the island from the mainland. c
2024
Haw Eaters' Brew
lager beer
From the land of the Haw Eater

Images

Image 1: Beer can design from www.manitoulinbrewing.co (1 Oct. 2024)

Image 1: Beer can design from www.manitoulinbrewing.co (1 Oct. 2024)