Kim Pearson

© 2003-4. All Rights Reserved

Source: The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

Definition obtained through www.dictionary.com

Source: Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary

Definition obtained through www.dictionary.com

"Many dictionaries say simply ‘orig. unknown.’ The term is in little use today among us, except for the Vancouver Canucks hockey team. One may, on occasion, run into a jocular person (possibly in a U.S. bar) who will say, "oh, a Canuck, hah?" but the word seldom features in ordinary conversation. (It has been traced) through U.S. dictionaries as Canuck, Canack, Cunnuck and Kanuck, the last one (1835) meaning a Dutch or French Canadian. A Dictionary of Americanisms defines Canuck, Canack, and Cunnuck as "colloquial slang appellations for a native of Canada, although (within Canada) almost solely understood to be a French Canadian.

There is a theory that the word is derived from Connaught, a term said to be given by French Canadians to the Irish. There is a suggestion that it may come from the first syllable of Canada, combined with an Algonquin noun ending in –uc. The Oxford Companion To The English Language (defines the term as): "Canuck, 1820’s. Probably from the Iroquoian canuchsa, someone in a kanata (village)…but possibly from Hawaiian kanaka (man), through a pidgin used in the fur trade (in which Pacific islanders were employed), and taken into French as canaque, perhaps being originally applied to French Canadian canoemen. A nickname for a Canadian…but in the U.S. Northeast pejoratively referring to French Canadians."

--The Toronto Star, August 27, 1994, "‘Canuck’ could have roots in Hawaii"; written by Lew Gloin

Through my research of the term ‘canuck’, it seems that the term only takes on a derogatory meaning in a certain context. I found three examples of the word being used as a strong link to nationalism that did not imply malice. Rather, I found it was almost difficult to find strong examples of the word being used as in an offensive manner.

The first and most obvious use of the term is the NHL ice hockey team. "The Vancouver Canucks entered the league as an expansion team in 1970. The team has recently changed its logo. Previously, they wore a…black, orange, and yellow combination with a hockey skate on the jersey with the word "Canucks" making up the blade. The new logo is in the shape of a capital C with the top part of the letter being formed by a leaping killer whale. The killer whale is a link to the team’s owners, Orca Bay Sports and Entertainment." (The Sporting News, Jim Meier, ‘What is a Canuck?’ January 11, 1999).

Interestingly enough, however, the term Canuck seems to be classified by some as offensive in this use as well, taking its place among a number of other seemingly racist mascots. "Years ago, I was watching a sports commentary show where the topic was team names. During an interview with Stan Fischler, the New York sports reporter commented that he didn’t like the name "Canucks" because it was an offensive term (worse than "Redskins" or "Indians")," (‘Canuck’ Defined, David Marchak, www.comnet.ca/~dmachack/candef.htm).

Two other uses of the term ‘canuck’ were found in comic books depicting two men, Johnny Canuck and Captain Canuck. Johnny Canuck originally appeared in the 1860’s as an editorial cartoon used to represent Canada, similar to our Uncle Sam. "Johnny Canuck was depicted as a wholesome young man, wearing the garb of a habitant, farmer, logger, ranger, or soldier. Johnny was often drawn resisting the bullying of Uncle Sam," (www.comnet.ca/~dmachack/candef.htm). It is also noted, however, that Johnny Canuck was not depicted as an intelligent man.

As a "national comic hero", issues featuring a new Johnny Canuck emerged in 1942. Created by Leo Bachle, Johnny Canuck was "tall, strong, and brave." "Just as Superman had devoted his attention to the Axis powers, Johnny Canuck was Canada’s answer to Nazi oppression," (www.skypoint.com/members/schutz19/jcanuck.htm).

In addition to Johnny, Captain Canuck found his way into comic books in 1975. Wearing a costume of red and white, Captain Canuck "worked as a super agent for the Canadian International Security Organization (CISO)" (www.skypoint.com/members/schutz19/ccanuck.htm).

**‘Canuck’ seems to be a sticky term. Used by Canadians, the word is acceptable in virtually all applications. Used by an outsider, however, it has the potential to take on an offensive or derogatory tone.