W W W. D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA NA . C O M
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WOLF
e word wolf has a long history in the English language. e Oxford English
Dictionary traces its first citation to the year 725, when wolves were common in the
British Isles and throughout western Europe. All the Germanic languages—Dutch,
Swedish, Norwegian, German and English—have similar-sounding words for the
creature.
English-speaking immigrants to North America found the word serviceable, as the
animal was ubiquitous throughout the continent. e first American citation of the
word wolf dates to e Generall Historie of Virginia (1624) by Captain John Smith,
British-born historian and leading founder of the Jamestown colony. Of the animals,
Smith wrote, "e Woolves [are] not much bigger than our English Foxes."
Because the colonists brought a name for their familiar European animal, they
largely ignored the native terms mahigan (Algonquin), shunkaha (Lakota), kiyiu
(Seneca) and kooi (Kiowa).
Meanwhile, Spanish-speaking arrivals to the south of the continent imported their
word for the creature, lobo, from the Latin lupus. From this branch of the language
tree comes the scientific designation for the wolf, Canis lupus.
Wolf shows up in some unexpected linguistic corners. e Old High German
name Athalwolf means "noble wolf," with Adolph its modern version. Similarly,
Hrodulf, the Old High German name meaning "famed wolf " is the precursor to the
modern Rudolf. e Louvre (from the French loup, "wolf ") in Paris is said to have
been established on the site of a wolf-kennel built during Roman occupation.
IN FOCUS
Also on exhibit
Roots of Wisdom
Native Knowledge. Shared Science
David F. Barry photographed Native American men and
women, frontier scouts, soldiers, trappers, missionaries
and other 19th century pioneers of the northern plains.
Explore Barry's life, work, and legacy during his years in
the Dakota Territory and throughout the creation of the
Standing Rock Reservation.
September 23, 2017 – January 21, 2018
Memory
on Glass
D.F. Barry on Standing Rock, 1878-1891
