wiskinkie

English

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium. Particularly: “from a word wiskinkhie meaning "his eye": Algonquian?”)

Noun

wiskinkie (plural wiskinkies)

1. (US, historical) A doorkeeper in the Tammany Hall political organization.

   Coordinate term: sagamore

   • 1867, Society of Tammany (New York), Proceedings of the Tammany Society, or Columbia Order... (page 139)

     The other officers of the society are a Secretary, Treasurer, Sagamore, and Wiskinkie. The duty of the Sagamore is to take care of the property of the society; that of the Wiskinkie, to act as doorkeeper.