I posted this question in another forum some years ago before I joined this forum. I think I have a better chance of an answer here so I copy it verbatim -

I always accepted my dictionary's etymology of the word "kayak" as Inuit in origin, spelled qajaq in Inuktitut. The dictionary actually gives Eskimo (considered to be pejorative by some) but it's an old book.

However, I recently* noticed the similarity with the word caique "a long narrow skiff used on the Bosphorus" descended from the Turkish "kayik" by Italian and French descent. It has also been spelled qayiq, and there is a Greek word kaiki meaning much the same thing.

With apologies to the editors of the dictionary, surely that is pushing coincidence too far. I know the Turks and Greeks go back a ways and are a lot closer than either would care to admit but a connection with the Inuit and Aleuts?

Does anyone know the truth of the matter?

And no, before you ask, I will not change my pen-name to Ancient Kaiker.

* original post was 2008