I wouldn't normally add something like this
but you seem like the sort to be interested in getting a better answer, so here goes:

Inuit, as in "an inuit" is not really correct. It's like saying "A British", since it's The Inuit People - the name for the group, rather than the individual. "Inuk" is the word that describes an Inuit person.

Also, bear in mind that this is true only for Canada and Greenland. The aboriginal Alaskans have a slight problem coming to an agreement. Eskimo isn't considered bad by the Yupik people, but the Inupiats don't like it.

If you want a quick and dirty (and therefore flawed) explanation as to why, the Yupik are from the Russian side of things, and the Inupiats from the Canadian. So the Yupik aren't Eskimos, but...

The term "Eskimo" is chosen by the Yupik as it means ( by general etymological agreement, though not a certainty) "eater of raw meat" [[or "stringer of snow-shoes"]]. Obviously, a Korean would probably prefer to be called a "rice-eater" rather than a Chinese person, and so it is with this: The Yupik prefer to be Eskimos than Inuks, because the Inuks are the Inupiats. The Inupiats don't like Eskimo because they already have a perfectly good term - Inuk.

Not the easiest thing in the world to explain, and it's not an area of expertise for me, just went and learned the difference several years ago because I didn't understand it. I may be wrong in some areas, but it's more correct than calling them all Eskimos, or even Inuits [which isn't a real word ;) ]
(jellybeanflicker Jesus was Korean, but there he was Cho Sun Wun, Fri 29 Oct 2010, 15:02, 3 replies)

Fucking hell
I hope there's not gonna be a test on this stuff.
(Reverend Fister "a disciplined fuckwit", Fri 29 Oct 2010, 15:06, closed)

As I said
I don't put crap like this up here normally, because some people think it's irrelevant and anal (and yes, it really does have nothing to do with babysitters, I suppose) but it seemed like Allstar might be interested and besides, I need somewhere to dump my trivia.

The worst part is catching yourself shouting at QI on the gogglebox because you know a few more interesting facts about the subject, and Sir Stephen wants to move the show along... that is the most real shame I feel.
(jellybeanflicker Jesus was Korean, but there he was Cho Sun Wun, Fri 29 Oct 2010, 15:16, closed)

The people who think it irrelevant and anal can just move along
I want you to post more stuff like this.
(Vice Admiral Sir Charles Cockbrush KCB MBE DSO, who is finding it increasingly difficult to log into b3ta.com wants to duck your aunt and kick your puppy, Fri 29 Oct 2010, 15:25, closed)

Anal is never irrelevant.

( flake has nothing against your right leg, Fri 29 Oct 2010, 20:56, closed)

Woo
I love learning new stuff.
(Vice Admiral Sir Charles Cockbrush KCB MBE DSO, who is finding it increasingly difficult to log into b3ta.com wants to duck your aunt and kick your puppy, Fri 29 Oct 2010, 15:20, closed)

I was going to explain this to my son
...but 'e knew it already

eythangyew
(moon monkey is busy making memories worth repressing, Fri 29 Oct 2010, 15:52, closed)

Here all week, try the veal :o)

(Dermot O'Logical, Mon 1 Nov 2010, 15:32, closed)