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a Chinaman's chance originally made reference to these Chinese laborers, though the exact origin of the phrase is disputed.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