Where does “芝加哥” come from?

芝加哥 (Chinese) comes from English Chicago, from French Chécagou, from Miami šikaakwa, from Proto-Algonquian šeka·kwa, from Proto-Algonquian šek- — to urinate.

Ancestry of “芝加哥”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishChicagolocated on Lake Michigan
2FrenchChécagou—
3Miamišikaakwathe striped skunk, Mephitis mephitis
4Proto-Algonquianšeka·kwaskunk
5Proto-Algonquianšek-to urinate
Every word from Proto-Algonquian šek- →Every word from Proto-Algonquian šeka·kwa →Every word from Miami šikaakwa →
芝加哥 — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer