Etymology

łį́į́ʼ ‎(“pet”) + chąąʼ ‎(“****”) + -í ‎(“nominalizer”); literally, "**** pet" (pet that eats excrement). Replaced the old simplex łį́į́ʼ, which shifted meaning to "horse" following the reintroduction of the horse to North America, which led to the horse replacing the dog as the most favored "pet."^[1] Compare Chipewyan łį, Sarcee tłíchʼà, Ahtna łicʼae.

Pronunciation