Definition

1. Noun:
   • A member of an Indigenous people inhabiting Arctic and subarctic regions: This term refers to a person belonging to groups traditionally living in areas of northern Canada, Greenland, Alaska, and eastern Siberia.
   • The languages spoken by these peoples: This refers to the related languages and dialects, such as Inuktitut and Yupik, spoken by these Indigenous groups.

Usage Notes

• Important Context: The term "Eskimo" is considered outdated, and in many contexts, offensive or inappropriate by the people it describes. It is a term applied by outsiders. The preferred and respectful terms are the specific names of the peoples, such as Inuit (in Canada and Greenland) and Yupik (in Alaska and Siberia). Always use the specific name preferred by the community when possible.

Examples

• Noun (Referring to people):

  • The museum had an exhibit on traditional Eskimo tools and clothing. (Note: Modern usage would prefer "Inuit tools and clothing" for a Canadian context.)
  • Some older anthropology books use the term "Eskimo" to describe Arctic cultures.

• Noun (Referring to language):

  • He studied the grammar of the Eskimo language family. (Note: Modern usage would specify "the Inuit language" or "the Yupik language".)

Advanced Usage

• Historical/Anthropological Context: The term may appear in historical texts, legal documents (e.g., the "Eskimo Pie" trademark), or older academic works. Its use today requires careful consideration of context and audience.
• Linguistic Classification: In linguistics, "Eskimo" is sometimes used in compound terms like "Eskimo-Aleut" to describe the language family that includes Inuit, Yupik, and Aleut languages.

Variants and Related Words

• Inuit (n., pl.): The term used by the Indigenous peoples of the Canadian Arctic and Greenland for themselves. It means "the people."
• Yupik (n., pl.): The term for Indigenous peoples of southwestern Alaska and the Russian Far East.
• Inuk (n., sing.): The singular form for a person of the Inuit people.
• Inuktitut (n.): The name for the Inuit language spoken in parts of Canada.

Synonyms

• Arctic peoples: A general, descriptive term.
• Inuit: The preferred term for the people of Canada and Greenland.
• Yupik: The preferred term for the people of Alaska and Siberia.

Note on Synonyms: "Inuit" and "Yupik" are not perfect synonyms for "Eskimo" as they refer to specific groups within the larger categorization. They are the preferred modern terms.

Related Phrases and Compound Terms

• Eskimo kiss: A term for the gesture of rubbing noses, based on a traditional Inuit greeting called . The phrase is considered a misnomer and can be culturally insensitive.
• Eskimo pie: A branded ice cream treat. The company announced a name change in 2020 due to the term's derogatory connotations.

Noun

1. the language spoken by the Eskimo
2. a member of a people inhabiting the Arctic (northern Canada or Greenland or Alaska or eastern Siberia); the Algonquians called them Eskimo (`eaters of raw flesh') but they call themselves the Inuit (`the people')