“Father of Waters.” Mississippi is an Indian word meaning “father of waters.” The following line refers to the immense quantities of débris that the river carries from hills and mountains, and in which many relics of the past are found buried.
“Prairie,” prā´re. Often incorrectly pronounced.
“Courier-des-bois.” French—literally scouts of the forest.
“Voyageurs.” Travelers.
“St. Catherine’s tresses.” St. Catherine lived a virgin; hence the expression means to live unmarried.
“Shard.” A shred. The word is obsolete in this meaning.
“Op-e-lou´sas.”
“Chutes,” shoots. A rapid descent in a river, or the opening in a river dam.
“Lagoon,” la-goon´. A marsh, shallow pond, or lake.
“Wimpling.” Lying in folds; rippling.