Sep 22, 2022 • 6M

The Luck of the Pot

Does "potluck" have Native American origins?

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John McWhorter
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A traditional dance of the Kwakiutl, who were known to hold potlatches.

It’s often assumed that potluck is derived from the Chinook Jargon word potlatch, a Pacific Northwest ceremony at which gifts are exchanged. Sort of makes sense, only it’s not true. High muckety-muck, on the other hand … well, John explains.

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