DCHP-3

mamaloos(h)

[< Chinook Jargon memaloost < Chinook memalust die, dead]
Pacific Coast
DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

Entry from the DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

This entry may contain outdated or offensive information, terms, and examples.

v. adj.

die; kill; dead; dying.

Many small islands in British Columbia are locally known as "Mamaloos Island," having been used as burial grounds. "Deadman's Island," off Stanley Park in Vancouver, is one of them.

Quotations

1858
. . . each in his turn had to keep watch, with revolver in hand, that the Indians did not steal our provisions, as well as Mamaloose us while asleep.
1926
I asked him what the matter was . . . and pulling the skin of his leg, he answered "Memeloust--small pox."
1956
The Reverend Thomas Pearne, an Indian, said, "Moses, memaloose (dead)." I knew Moses.
1963
"My papoose going mamaloosh I t'ink."