Chinese fire drill

noun

, Slang: Usually Offensive.

1. a state of chaotic, often clamorous disorder.

Sensitive Note

See Chinese.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Chinese fire drill¹

Probably earlier than 1960–65

Example Sentences

A mother of one of the neighborhood kids drove her Ford Expedition down our street, stopped her car in front of our driveway and allowed four young girls cackling with excitement to jump out and scream, “Chinese fire drill! Chinese fire drill!” before taking off.

From Washington Post

They make “Chinese fire drill” jokes, suggest I write birthday cards in Chinese, and ask my wife if she’s comfortable being driven around by an Asian.

From Slate

They make “Chinese fire drill” jokes, suggest I write birthday cards in Chinese, and ask my wife if she’s comfortable being driven around by an Asian.

From Slate

The daily life of China is much more like a Chinese fire drill than it is a nation acting in unity.

From Time

Then former Ambassador to Ghana William Mahoney told the convention: "We often conduct ourselves with all the organization of a Chinese fire drill."

From Time Magazine Archive