[Aztlan] Chichimecs

[John F. Schwaller]

At 12:51 PM 11/11/2006, you wrote:
>Hello,
>
>Does anyone have information on the origin of the the name "Chichimec?"


While it is generally interpreted as "dog people," going to 
Karttunen's Dictionary, the word "chichimeca" has long vowels.  In 
fact the word comes from: chi:chi:me:catl  She goes on to note that 
as a result of the vowel length the word is NOT related to words for 
dog, rags, or bitter.  "It is possibly derivationally related to 
chi:chi:- 'to suckle.'"

So in fact the word is NOT derived from dog, but from something else, 
possibly "to suckle."


>_

John F. Schwaller
President
SUNY Potsdam
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