squid - squid squall

• Format: Manuscript
• Language: English
• Published: 1972
• Subjects: English language > Dialects > Newfoundland and Labrador; Newfoundland
• Online Access: http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/ref/collection/elrcdne/id/55419

squid squall n _Squid_ is first cited, with Newfoundland locale, for the bait-squid, _Loligo_ _ommastrephes_, in a 1613 "quote". The earliest recorded use of the term with reference to the Giant Squid refers also to Nfld waters. The word would seem to derive from one of the cognates _skit_, _squib_ and _squirt_� with reference to the squid's ability to eject "squid juice", perhaps reinforced by the squid's ability to "shoot" backwards. The word has several compounds including _squid-_ _scull_, _squid-jigger_, _squidline_ and the archaic _squid-fish_, none presenting any particular problem in etymotology. _Squid-hound_, a fishermen's name for a type of porpoise could be included in this group. The porpoise "hounds" and devours the bait-squid; one of its Irish and Gaelic names is _cana_, and the Latin _canis_, hound, was sometimes applied to it in Roman times. (over) [reverse] _Squid-squall_ presents a more complex problem, but likely involves _squid_ only through assimilation. In Newfoundland, a _squid-squall_ is any type of jellyfish lacking"tentacles". At Southampton, England, and along the adjacent coast, such are known as _squidges_ because they "squidge" or squirt seawater when pressed ,and may be easily "squidged" or squashed underfoot. The O.E.D. has 17-18C cites with Norfolk and other locales for _squalder_, "a kind of jellyfish", a word likely cognate with Dutch _kwal_, a jellyfish, German _qualle_, a jellyfish, phlegm or "snot", and Polish _chelbis_, a tentacleless jellyfish. These words, with _squalder_ and _-squall_, suggest affiliation with Lation _squilla_ (_scilla_), sea onion (< Greek) and _squalus_, _squalidus_, _squama_ (etc.) as well as the English _scale_ (< OFr. _escale_), ultimately Teutonic. A combination of _squidge_ and _squal(der)_ or dialect variants of either, seemingly form the basis of _squid-_ _squall_, perhaps modified in Nfld usage through identification with the _squid-_ _scull_, during which the "jelly blobs" are frequently observed. W.J.KIRWIN DEC 1972 JH DEC 1972 ...