skookum

American  

[skoo-kuhm] / ˈsku kəm /

adjective

Northwest U.S., Canada.

1. large; powerful; impressive.

2. excellent; first-rate.

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skookum British  

/ ˈskuːkəm /

adjective

1. strong or brave

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Etymology

Origin of skookum

1825–35, < Chinook Jargon: strong, powerful < Lower Chehalis (Salishan language of the Washington coast) skwəkwə́m ghost, spirit, monster (hence, apparently “fearsome” > “powerful” in Chinook Jargon)

Example Sentences

Northwest look as handsome and healthy as skookum apples.

From Time Magazine Archive

And I knew, also, that that stood for skookum mamook pukapuk—excuse Chinook, I mean there was a big fight coming. 

From The Faith of Men by London, Jack

Salt chuck, the sea; skookum chuck, a rapid; solleks chuck, a rough sea; chuck chahko or kalipi, the tide rises or falls; saghilli and keekwillie chuck, high and low tide.

From Dictionary of the Chinook Jargon, or, Trade Language of Oregon by Gibbs, George

Johnny's skookum tumtum was somewhat out of commission for a while.

From Skookum Chuck Fables Bits of History, Through the Microscope by Cumming, R. D. (Robert Dalziel)

Course, I can't register any kick; for when it comes to doing the hair-trigger friendship act, Pinckney's the real skookum preferred.

From Shorty McCabe by Wilson, F. Vaux (Francis Vaux)