>I support Jeff Gilligan's position - there is no need to change a colorful
>historical name like oldsquaw. There is nothing inherently demeaning about
>"squaw". My sources indicate that it is an Algonquin word (squa) meaning
>woman or wife. What in the hell is wrong with that? Are we on our way to
>eliminating papoose, wampum, and mocassin, among others? Enough of this
>damned political correctness! Get a life, AOU.

>Webster's dictionary defines "squaw" as "a North American Indian woman, esp.
> a wife". This doesn't sound very offensive to me. Perhaps someone may have
> used the word in a context which was offensive, but that doesn't make the
> word inherently offensive.

In a comment to these two posts, those of us who are Caucasian males are
unlikely to be offended by this term. However, it has been used
derogatorily and as such, we need to be more sensitive to those who find
such names offensive. This ain't our call, guys.

By the way, I do prefer the British name Long-tailed Duck. I ain't larned
enuf to fully appreciate Callithumpian.

Enjoy the day,

Tim

Tim Shelmerdine
Lake Oswego/Aurora, Oregon
shelmert at mail.clackesd.k12.or.us