skookum en · ADJ
Pronunciation
- (Southern-England) audio
- /ˈskuːkəm/
Etymology
First attested in 1825–35. Borrowed from Chinook Jargon, from Lower Chehalis.
Meanings
- (British-Columbia, Northwestern, US, Yukon) Excellent, impressive.
-
(British-Columbia, Northwestern, US, Yukon) Big, strong, durable, reliable, trustworthy, doughty.
The electrics were fine (amazing considering Joseph Lucas, the Prince of Darkness made 'em), although they were positive ground - admittedly not a serious problem unless you wanted to add electrical accessories - and mostly we didn't in those days unless you had a Hardly Dangerous "garbage wagon". (This was probably cuz the Harley was the only bike with a skookum enough electrical system for the load.)
1991 October 16, Robert Smits, “Folk Wisdom”, in rec.motorcycles (Usenet), message-ID <RwDX01w164w@smits.oneb.wimsey.bc.ca>:I am also configuring for the 18m tip extension, so whatever I do to the winglet attach will need to be skookum enough for the extension.
2008 November 14, Brad, “winglet weight”, in rec.aviation.soaring (Usenet), message-ID <b29cb04f-153a-41f6-8d33-c0eefd7dcbb1@c36g2000prc.googlegroups.com>:There was a young, bold freight trainman here who tried using one of his steel-toed boots as a wheel chock. Not quite skookum enough, though. He lost a big part of his foot.
1999 November 30, Skeptic, “PROVE GOD EXISTS”, in alt.atheism (Usenet), message-ID <5pW04.12151$M%.98435@news.rdc1.wa.home.com>:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| most skookum | Degree=Sup | lexicographic | |
| more skookum | Degree=Cmp | lexicographic |