Now, whichever one of these was originally meant, it would be quite certain to be misunderstood, more or less, by later generations, and myths would arise to explain the several possible interpretations of the word--as, in fact, we find was the case.
Closely allied to this is what has been called _otosis_.

This is the substitution of a familiar word for an archaic or foreign one of similar sound but wholly diverse meaning.

This is a very common occurrence and easily leads to myth making.

For example, there is a cave, near Chattanooga, which has the Cherokee name Nik-a-jak.

This the white settlers have transformed into Nigger Jack, and are prepared with a narrative of some runaway slave to explain the cognomen.