DCHP-3

potlatch ((v.))

[< n.]
Esp. Pacific Coast
DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

Entry from the DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

This entry may contain outdated or offensive information, terms, and examples.

1av.

give with the expectation of a return gift.

Quotations

1870
Willingly would we potlatch a couple of ordinary blankets for one of their iktas.
1966
Potlatch means give away--but not quite. because a return was in order, of more than the gift and of something that often might be quite unusual.
1bv.

give freely.

Quotations

1909
And it seems to me . . . that the man who potlatched the whiskey and landed me into the hole/ Was Grubbe that unmerciful bounder, Grubbe of the City Patrol.
1945
Chief Wattle-kainum potlatched all his wealth to save the white man's life. . . .
1962
He still has his gasboat and fishes on and off, but only catches sufficient to eat and potlatch to the older Indians, some of whom are in their nineties.
2av.

hold or take part in a potlatch (def. 2a).

See: potlatch ((n.))(def. 2a)

Quotations

1899
To potlatch or not to potlatch is the question which is agitating the minds of Indians of Nass River district. . . .
1927
"By Jove, the Songhees are up to something, I think they're going to potlatch."
1961
At Alert Bay, in 1946, the late Mrs. Stephen Cook reported to the writer that "my sons have been chased from the fishing grounds because they would not potlatch."
1966
. . . the Owekenos cleaned up on the Bella Bellas, by inviting the Bella Bellas to potlatch with them one evening in a strange house, built half underground, with entrance by a ladder leaning downward inside.
2bv. — Informal

hold a party.

See: potlatch ((n.))(def. 4)

Quotations

1957
"By the way, this [Christmas] season do we potlatch at our post or at yours?"