Chinook - by George Hosier II - Alaskan Glossary

Al-a-ka-ket interj. What you promise to do to your neighbor’s dog if it comes onto your property and tears up your garbage one more time.

Am-bler n. A bull caribou that is taking his time coming within range while your muscles begin to spasm from holding your bow at full draw.

A-nuk-tu-vuk Pass n. A flirtatious overture from your Inupiat co-worker, Anna Ktuvuk

Arc-tic En-try n. 1. A small vestibule built onto the front of an Alaskan house intended to provide a buffer zone between the subzero temperatures outside, and the warmth within. Usually full of Bunny Boots, bottles of Heet, parkas, and 37 thousand pairs of frozen socks. 2. A hole cut in the ice to accommodate contestants in the Polar Bear Plunge.

To read the rest of the story we invite you to browse our Chinook pages.