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.
John is in a restaurant and orders pancakes. He sees the
waiter coming with his pancakes
John: "I wish I had a
plate of pancakes!"
The waiter sets the pancakes down in
front of him, fulfilling the Eskimo wish.
