Hi All!  This answer is for David Minor, but I thought some of the rest of
you might be interested also.  Henk and Pauline are Medieval specialists and
are on the Historic Costume listserv.

Regards!  Bonnie Glickman, Rochester NY
=========================================================
David Minor wrote:
>
> I've been told that the non-Clsasical origin of the tribal designation
> "Seneca" was a Dutch word "sinniker" (variant spelling very possible, I
> heard the explanation orally) referring to "people west of the Mohawks").
> Can anyone on the list provide the correct spelling and translation of the
> Dutch word?
>
> TIA for any help,
> David Minor=======================================
Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1998 19:31:03 +0200
From: "Henk 't Jong" <[log in to unmask]>
Henk & Pauline 't Jong
tScapreel
Medieval Advisors
Dordrecht, Netherlands

Hi Bonnie,


At least it isn't modern Dutch. The closest is 'sinecure' , which is
originally a French word and goes back to medieval latin 'sinecura'=
without care (for souls); a cushy (priests) job.

In 16th c Dutch there is 'sinnekijn'= a symbolic person, from
'sin'=feeling, sense, disposition, inclination (middledutch). There is also
'sinkel' or 'senkel' which is a sounding lead to measure depth in water,
from 'sinken'=to sink.

There could be a connection with 'sinksen'=Whitsun(tide), but I doubt it.

I can find no connection with 'people west of the Mohawk'. Urban legend?

Sorry not to be of more help,

Bye,  Henk