Eskimo wish

[Magaret]

When you wish for something that you know is about to happen.
The term dates back to the early 18th century during [The Flood] of Atqasuk. The city (at that point only a small fishing village) was flooded due to an unusual and highly dangerous melting of the snow in the area. It is still unknown what caused the snow to melt; the locals believed the Sun God was punishing them for not making enough sacrifices. In order to appease his anger, the village [elders] told them to catch several tons of fish, and burn them in a great village fire, certain that the smoke and fish flesh would please the god. After doing this for several weeks, as well as ritually dancing for snow to return to the village, a number of [polar bears] came to the village. The people took this to mean that snow would [come for] certain, and wished for it even more than before! Within days, the snow came, and thus their [Eskimo] wishes had been answered.