-------------------- goo -- worm ----------------------

goo -- worm (in general)

Pronunciation:
  Like "GO" (Listen)

Etymology:

  Goo is from the basic Athapascan word for worm. It is found in most of the Athabascan languages from Alaska to New Mexico.

Meaning:

  Goo is a very general term that refers not only to what we consider to be worms in English (legless, elongate, soft-bodied invertebrates), but also more-or-less worm-shaped insect larvae (caterpillars, grubs, maggots).
  Like many generic terms in Cahto, goo also had a sort of default specific meaning in certain contexts. In the context of foods the specific meaning is the edible "armyworm" caterpillars that swarmed every few years and provided a delicacy to the Naahneesh. In the context of fishing the specific meaning is "angle worms."

Culture:

  The Naahneesh distinguished several different kinds of goo:

    gooneeschow -- earthworm (lit. "big long worm") (Listen)

    teegootc -- earthworm (lit. "little one that pierces along") (Listen)

    seekalhtcing -- cutworm (lit. "stone-axe kind of thing") (Listen)

    kaltcintc -- "armyworm" edible caterpillar (lit. "little axe kind of thing" or "little cutworm") (Listen)

  Of the "armyworm" caterpillars Loeb, based on information from Martinez Bell and Bill Ray's wife, reports: "Certain species collected on ash tree every 10-15 years; gathered on leaves, brushed into water, drowned, dried, cooked in sand, eaten; surplus dried in sun, stored" (Loeb 1932, p.46)
  No snickering allowed from those who do not consider insects food! Insects in general are fantastic sources of very high quality protein, and often of some fat as well. Some of them are delicious, as well.

  Gooneeschow (earthworms) were never eaten by the Naahneesh because Gooneeschow created the earth in one version of the creation:

    "Nagaitco [Naaghaichow] said, 'How can I make the earth?' Earthworm (Konetco [Gooneeschow]) got up and said, 'I can make it.' Nagaitco said, 'Well if you can make it, then go and do it. I cannot.' So Earthworm started to make the earth. He had dirt inside his stomach. He began spitting it out. He kept spitting. He had with him a bone awl (tsuñ [ts'ing]) and he kept sewing up the earth at the same time he spat it out. He had started from the north and he finished in the south." (story fragment Loeb collected from Martinez Bell and Bill Ray's wife, Loeb 1932, p.25)

  The neighboring Pomo and Yuki had no such story and considered earthworms a delicacy. Again, no snickering! They are extremely nutritious and can, apparently, be quite delicious depending on how they're prepared.

Related Languages:

  Lassik: gow
  Sinkyone, Wailaki: goo
  Mattole: yane'
  Hupa: qo

-------------------------
Sally Anderson
sally@turtlenodes.com
Cahto Language Home Page