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
pancakesJohn: "I wish I had a plate of
pancakes!"
The waiter sets the pancakes down in front of him, fulfilling the Eskimo wish.
