Chinaman

[ chahy-nuh-muhn ]

noun

, plural Chi·na·men.

1. Older Use: Offensive. a term used to refer to a Chinese person or a person of Chinese descent.
2. (often lowercase) Older Slang: Offensive. a person regarded as one's benefactor, sponsor, or protector.
3. (lowercase) Archaic. a person who imports or sells china.

Chinaman

/ ˈtʃaɪnəmən /

noun

1. archaic.
   a native or inhabitant of China
2. often not capital cricket a ball bowled by a left-handed bowler to a right-handed batsman that spins from off to leg

Sensitive Note

Historically, Chinaman was a neutral compound word, similar to Irishman or Englishman , but it began to take on negative connotations in the 19th century, when many Chinese immigrants went to work in the American West. The expression a Chinaman's chance originally made reference to these Chinese laborers, though the exact origin of the phrase is disputed.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Chinaman¹

First recorded in 1765–75; China + -man

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. a Chinaman's chance, Older Use: Offensive. the slightest chance.

Example Sentences

By 1890, the business directory for Humboldt County was boasting that it was “the only county in the state containing no Chinamen.”

From Los Angeles Times

“This show isn’t about me, nor is it about Asian America,” Huang wrote, in an essay for New York, calling it “a reverse-yellowface show with universal white stories played out by Chinamen.”

From The New Yorker

Mr. Beckel’s exit from Fox wasn’t his first run-in with racial controversies involving information technology specialists; he was criticized in 2014 for referring to “Chinamen” on air.

From Washington Times

“Us that knowed her,” he said, “never doubted she saved some Chinamen first.”

From Literature

“You don’t call them Chinamen or Chinks,” I cried.

From Literature