Pow wow

The term pow wow (or powwow) originates from the Narragansett word powwaw, meaning "spiritual leader." Historically, English settlers adopted the word to refer to the ceremonies and councils where these leaders presided. Today, in its primary context, it refers to a specific North American Indigenous gathering involving feasting, singing, and dancing. In colloquial English, particularly in business environments, it has been widely adopted as a metaphor for a quick meeting, discussion, or brainstorming session.

Perspectives on this usage vary significantly. Those who use the term in a corporate context often view it as a standard, colorful idiom for a "get-together" with no intent to offend. However, many Indigenous people and linguistic advocates consider this usage to be cultural appropriation. The argument against it is that using a word describing a culturally significant and often spiritual event to describe a mundane office chat trivializes Native American history and traditions. As a result, many inclusive language guides recommend using neutral alternatives.

Example:
"We need to have a quick pow wow to figure out the marketing strategy."

Example:
"After the incident, the managers called a pow wow to discuss damage control."