chow chow

¹

[ chou chou ]

noun

, (often initial capital letters)

1. one of a Chinese breed of medium-sized dogs having a thick black, blue, red, or cream coat and a blue-black tongue.

chow-chow

²

[ chou-chou ]

noun

1. a Chinese mixed fruit preserve.
2. a relish of chopped mixed pickles in mustard sauce.

chow-chow

noun

1. a thick-coated breed of the spitz type of dog with a curled tail and a characteristic blue-black tongue; it came originally from China Often shortened tochow
2. a Chinese preserve of ginger, orange peel, etc in syrup
3. a mixed vegetable pickle

Word History and Origins

Origin of chow chow¹

1785–95; said to be < dialectal Chinese; compare Guangdong dial. gáu dog

Origin of chow chow²

Borrowed into English from Chinese Pidgin English around 1785–95

Word History and Origins

Origin of chow chow¹

C19: from pidgin English, probably based on Mandarin Chinese cha miscellaneous

Example Sentences

And in a few weeks not a rooster in the neighborhood had such a musical, splendid crow as our "Chow-Chow."

From Project Gutenberg

There was "Chow-Chow" on the window-sill, pecking at the glass, and holding up one foot, and then the other.

From Project Gutenberg

At noon the besiegers ceased firing and refreshed themselves with chow-chow and brandy.

From Project Gutenberg

Teas and silks, and many minor articles coming under the general head of 'Chow-chow,' were bought for cash.

From Project Gutenberg

The poor dogs were never found, and the Compradore insisted upon it that 'some man hav chow-chow he,' and we supposed so too.

From Project Gutenberg