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siwash ((v.))
[< n.]
Pacific Coast and Northwest
DCHP-1 (pre-1967)
Entry from the DCHP-1 (pre-1967)
This entry may contain outdated or offensive information, terms, and examples.
1av.
travel light, establishing siwash camps or sleeping in the open without prepared shelter.
Quotations
1938
With fresh memories of bitter cold nights when we had siwashed under trees, I dressed for this trip more warmly.
1951
When I used to siwash up here winters with the mail, I had to break out a new snowshow trail practically every trip
1bv.
siwash it, See quote.
Quotations
1931
I'll not try to put up my tent. I've got a good warm bed [bedroll], and I'll Siwash it for the rest of the night, and put up the tent later. Good night!
2av. — Slang
prohibit from obtaining liquor; put on the Indian list.
This term now applies to any person placed on the interdict list, q.v., in B.C.
Quotations
1922
[The Siwashes are Indians in British Columbia. They can't get whiskey because they are Indians.]
1948
The Dasher had been siwashed for a period, and . . . he had hidden supplies in various places so that he would have something to fall back on that was more palatable than painkiller or Jamaica ginger.
1957
"Hit's against the law ter ell wisky to the Siwashes . . . So wen a wite man gets so's no one will sell him drinks--well folks say e's been siwashed.
2bv.
deny access to prohibited drugs.
Quotations
1922
He always gave it [morphine] to me in the end, but I have had to get on my knees first. . . . Tai told them to Siwash me.
2cv.
See quote.
Quotations
1965
Twenty years ago when a white man was struck off the voters' list he was being turned into an Indian--"siwashed" they call it.
3v. — Lumbering, Slang
run (a cable, line, etc.) around anything but a proper block.
Quotations
1942
The slumber of ages silence was broken
By cursing and laughter of loggers a jokin',
And fallin' of pines, and snappin' of lines,
As "haulback" that's "siwashed" pulsingly whines.
1943
In ground lead logging, at first the main line rubbed or siwashed around a stump in order to spool it onto the drum, but when the bull block was invented, ground lead logging prospered by leaps and bounds, and its inventor, "Tommy" Moore, was crowned with a wreath of salal and made immortal among loggers who know their stuff.