The term “muckety muck” is an interesting phrase that has its roots in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Specifically, it derives from the language known as Chinook Jargon, which developed in this region as a result of contact between speakers of Chinook languages, French, English, Hawaiian, and Chinese.
In Chinook Jargon, the term “muckamuck” (or sometimes spelled as “mackamack”) originally meant food or provisions. It was derived from the Chinook word “muckamuck” which had the same meaning. The word “muckamuck” itself is a combination of two Chinook words: “muck” meaning to eat or to consume, and “amuck” meaning food or provisions.
Over time, the term “muckamuck” or “mackamack” started to be used more broadly to refer to a lavish or abundant feast or meal. It came to symbolize plenty or an abundance of food. It is not difficult to imagine the connection between an extravagant meal and a person of influence or high status. In this sense, the term “muckety muck” came to be associated with someone who had power, authority, or an elevated social position.
The usage of “muckety muck” as a term for a person of importance or influence likely arose from the association between an abundance of food and wealth or status. Just as a lavish feast represented abundance, a person who had control over resources or held a position of power was seen as having access to plenty. Over time, this term became part of the English language and has been used to describe someone in a position of authority or high social standing.
It is worth noting that language is dynamic and words and phrases can evolve and change over time. The exact origins of terms like “muckety muck” can be difficult to trace definitively. However, the connection to Chinook Jargon and its association with abundance and social status provides us with a possible explanation for the term's origins.
The term “muckety muck” originated from Chinook Jargon, a language that developed in the Pacific Northwest as a result of contact between various languages. Derived from the Chinook word for food, “muckamuck,” it evolved to represent abundance and lavish feasts. Eventually, it came to be associated with individuals in positions of power or authority. While the exact origins may be difficult to pinpoint, the connection to Chinook Jargon and its cultural context provides a plausible explanation for the term's meaning and usage.