Where does “wampum” come from?
Wampum comes from Massachusett wompi, a word of unknown ultimate origin referring to shell beads used as currency and ornament.
wampum (English): Small beads made from polished shells, especially...
Definitions
- Small beads made from polished shells, especially...
Ancestry of “wampum”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | wampumpeag | wampum |
| 2 | Wampanoag | wampompeage | — |
| 3 | Proto-Indo-European | wamp- | membrane , intestines, womb |