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soapolallie
[< Chinook Jargon soap soap + olallie berry]
B.C.
DCHP-1 (pre-1967)
Entry from the DCHP-1 (pre-1967)
This entry may contain outdated or offensive information, terms, and examples.
1n.
a dessert or drink made from crushed soapberries (def. 2). See 1952 quote.
The spellings of this term are very numerous: soapal(l)al(l)i(e), soapalalla, soopal(l)al(l)y, sopelalee, sopolally, etc.
Quotations
1895
Walking over to the reservation . . . we were fortunate enough to see some Indians eating "soapolali."
1944
Here are the stems of blackberries and the wild fruit of the hills that gives sopelalee.
1952
The soapberry . . . was mashed, formed into cakes, and dried in the sun. When required the cake was crumbled into water and soaked for awhile, then whipped into a foamy liquid of the consistency of thick soup. This drink was called "soopalally" and was considered a great delicacy.
1966
There was [at the potlatch] also a great deal of oolachan-grease and soapollalie
2n.
this substance used as a medicine.
Quotations
1954
Soopolallie made a mild laxative, and rattlesnake weed was used for more drastic purging.
3n.
a shrub, Shepherdia canadensis, the berries of which have a high saponaceous quality.
Quotations
4n.
the edible red berries of the shrub Shepherdia canadensis.