parka squirrel

noun

parka squirrel

noun

Etymology So called because the Eskimos use the pelts of these squirrels to make parkas.

1

Synonym of Arctic ground squirrel.

  • On the prairie there are little mounds made by generations of parka squirrels. The old-time Eskimo would find a bear that was hunting squirrels and then slip around into its path. Prone behind a parka squirrel's mound, the Eskimo would thrust up his forearm with fist doubled to imitate a squirrel, at the same time chirping like an alarmed squirrel.2001, Larry Kaniut, Bear Tales for the Ages: From Alaska and Beyond, →ISBN, page 121:
  • They only had one parka squirrel coat.2003, James Kari, James A. Fall, Shem Pete, Shem Pete's Alaska: The Territory of the Upper Cook Inlet Dena'ina, →ISBN:
1 more example
  • The wolves had not noticed the distant caribou, and Cris gave each a parka squirrel to hold them with him.2016, Lois Crisler, Arctic Wild, →ISBN:

Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — list of authors.