Quick links
whacheer
[< English greeting, what cheer, borrowed by the Crees]
North
DCHP-1 (pre-1967)
Entry from the DCHP-1 (pre-1967)
This entry may contain outdated or offensive information, terms, and examples.
n.
a long-established greeting. Also spelled watcheer.
See: wachee
Quotations
1578
[They haled one another according to the manner of the Sea, and demaunded what cheare? & either partie answered ye other, that all was well.]
1743
How do you do friend [is, in Cree] Watcheer Coshock.
1858
Among the Plains Cree, with whom the Scotch employes of the Hudson's Bay Company early established communication, the first address is generally "whacheer! whacheer!"
1934
. . . the Chief Factor proceeded to shake each squaw and Indian by the hand, saying "Watcheer?"
1963
Next came the Indian men . . . who gravely shook hands, said "What Cheer " the common seaman's salutation, engrafted in the Cree language from constant repetition. . . .