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maskinonge
[< Cnd F masquinongé < Algonk.; cf. Cree mashkkinonche great pike.]
DCHP-1 (pre-1967)
Entry from the DCHP-1 (pre-1967)
This entry may contain outdated or offensive information, terms, and examples.
n.
Other etymologies have been proposed for this much-used word, for example:
Quotations
1866
One of the most remarkable inhabitants of the Great Lakes belongs to this family, namely, the celebrated Masq'allongé . . . erroneously called Maskinongé, Mascalongé, Muskalinge, Maskalunge, and other barbarous corruptions of two simple French words, signifying "long face."
1896
According to Mgr. Lafleche, "maskinonge" is derived from mashk deformed, and kinongé, a pike, and was applied to esox nobilior by the Indians because it appeared to them a deformed or different kind of pike from that to which they had been accustomed.
2n.
a large species of pike, Esox masquinongy, weighing up to 80 pounds, found principally in the Great Lakes system. Many spellings.
Quotations
1703
['kinonge, brochet [northern pike]]
1761
Among the pike, is to be included the species, called, by the Indians, masquininge.
1826
Hauled the seine yesterday in the lake, and caught nine maskinonge (a large fish, very like a pike) from five to thirty pounds each.
1928
The giant maskinonge (the muskellunge, or "lunge") known to reach a length of eight feet and a weight of one hundred pounds.
1963
He is also an officer of the Outdoor Writers of Canada and only in one respect might he come into conflict with his companions on that body--by using the U.S. term muskellunge instead of the accepted, original Canadian name, maskinonge.