Chinaman

[ chahy-nuh-muh n ]
/ ˈtʃaɪ nə mən /

noun, plural Chi·na·men.

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

Idioms for Chinaman

    a Chinaman's chance, Older Use: Offensive. the slightest chance: He hasn't a Chinaman's chance of getting that job.

Origin of Chinaman

First recorded in 1765–75; China + -man

usage note for Chinaman

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 The expression a Chinaman's chance originally made reference to these Chinese laborers, though the exact origin of the phrase is disputed.

British Dictionary definitions for chinaman's chance

Chinaman
/ (ˈtʃaɪnəmən) /

noun plural -men

archaic, or derogatory a native or inhabitant of China
(often not capital) cricket a ball bowled by a left-handed bowler to a right-handed batsman that spins from off to leg

Idioms and Phrases with chinaman's chance

Chinaman's chance

Also, ghost of a chance. An extremely slim chance, a hopeless undertaking. Both versions are most often put negatively, as in He hasn't a Chinaman's chance of finishing the work in time, or They haven't a ghost of a chance to get as far as the playoffs. The first term, now considered offensive, dates from the late 1800s when many Chinese immigrants came to work in California and were resented because they worked for lower wages. Its precise allusion is unclear. The variant, which relies on the meaning of ghost as an insubstantial shadow, dates from the mid-1800s. Also see the synonyms fat chance; not an earthly chance.