Skunk Came Into English From Algonquian
A skunk is a black and white American mammal famous for its spray. Its name comes from a Native American language.
A skunk is a black and white American mammal that defends itself with a foul-smelling spray. The name comes from Massachusett, an Algonquian language, and probably meant urinating fox. The spray is not urine but a mix of sulphur compounds from glands beneath the tail, and a skunk can aim it accurately at three metres. The animal warns first — stamping, hissing and raising its tail — and only sprays if that fails, since the supply takes days to replenish.
- A spraying mammal. *A striped skunk.*
- A contemptible person. *You skunk.*
- To defeat utterly. *Skunked them.*
- Algonquian — the source language. *Massachusett.*
- Thiols — the spray's chemicals. *Sulphur compounds.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | skunk | A skunk. |
| Plural | skunks | Skunks. |
| Verb | skunk | Skunked. |
| Adjective | skunky | Skunky. |
| Algonquian | squunck | A skunk. |
- A skunk crossed the road at dusk.Animal.
- The spray is sulphur compounds.Chemistry.
- It warns before spraying.Behaviour.
Animal names from Native American languages
- Skunk — from Massachusett
- Raccoon — from Powhatan *arakun*
- Moose — from Eastern Abenaki
- Opossum — from Powhatan
- Chipmunk — from Ojibwe
From Massachusett *squnck*, an Algonquian language of New England, probably meaning urinating fox.
Is skunk spray urine?
No. It is a mixture of sulphur compounds from glands under the tail, and the skunk can aim it accurately at about three metres.
Do skunks spray immediately?
No. They stamp, hiss and raise the tail first, because the spray takes days to replenish.