Inuit qayaq was adapted to the English spelling kayak and English pronunciation.
CANONICAL RELATIONSHIP RECORD
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kayak
a narrow pointed boat propelled by a double-bladed paddle
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PARENT / EARLIER FORM / attestedInuit source (variety unspecified) · Inuit source form; variety unspecified · skin boatqayaq
kayak; traditional narrow skin-covered watercraft
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The Indigenous Arctic watercraft name retained its central referent in English and later expanded to modern recreational craft.
English record by 1757.
Merriam-Webster Editors
established — Merriam-Webster explicitly gives Inuit qayaq, but does not identify one source variety.
reviewed
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CITATION REGISTER
SOURCES ON THIS EDGE
Kayak — Word HistoryWord History — Etymology; First Known Use
supportsAUDIT SOURCE ↗ORIGINAL ↗Identifies Inuit qayaq and reports English use in 1757.
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EDITORIAL REUSE