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thunderbird
DCHP-1 (pre-1967)
Entry from the DCHP-1 (pre-1967)
This entry may contain outdated or offensive information, terms, and examples.
1an.
a mythical bird which, according to the legends of many Indian peoples, created the thunder with its beating wings and the lightning with its flashing eyes.
See: hohoq
Quotations
1878
The noise of thunder is explained by the fact that the thunder-bird takes hold of a whale and in a struggle with the monster of the deep causes all thundering reports.
1929
I think, my nephew, that it must have been one of the holes of the big snake that feeds the Thunder Bird.
1959
The legend of the Thunderbird was told to us.
1963
[They] do not see the Thunder Bird . . . under whose wings the people tremble.
1bn.
a representation or symbol of this mythical bird, commonly met with on the totem poles of Pacific Coast tribes, in designs on clothing, and in various art forms [see picture].
Quotations
1958
On top of this totem is perched the great Thunder-bird, having on his breast a man's face, denoting that these two mystic beings were interchangeable at will.
1964
The knitting [of the Cowichans] was beautifully patterned with thunderbirds and other designs. . . .
2n.
in Indian parlance, an airplane.
Quotations
1936
Few of them, he remembered, were familiar with the "thunder-bird" of the white man.
1956
". . . Maybe Indian he have no automobile or thunderbird, but he go places faster than white man and still stop where he is."
Images
