Chinaman

American  

[chahy-nuh-muhn] / ˈtʃaɪ nə mən /

noun

plural

Chinamen

1. Older Use: Offensive. a term used to refer to a Chinese person or a person of Chinese descent.

2. (often lowercase) a person regarded as one's benefactor, sponsor, or protector.

3. (lowercase) a person who imports or sells china.

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idioms

1. a Chinaman's chance, the slightest chance.

Chinaman British  

/ 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

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 The expression a Chinaman's chance originally made reference to these Chinese laborers, though the exact origin of the phrase is disputed.

Etymology

Origin of Chinaman

First recorded in 1765–75; China + -man

Example Sentences

Chinaman Trail in New Mexico was likely named such because Chinese laborers constructed the original trail as part of mining operations.

From Scientific American • Mar. 30, 2021

Hua Hsu is a staff writer for the New Yorker and the author of A Floating Chinaman.

From Slate • Oct. 18, 2018

He continued to release solo projects while recording with 2 Live Crew and formed his own imprint, Chinaman Records.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 13, 2017

This piece is adapted from “A Floating Chinaman: Fantasy and Failure across the Pacific,” recently published by Harvard University Press.

From The New Yorker • Jul. 14, 2016

He would stride the daises and the stages with his voice strong and clear, unafraid to speak the language like a Puritan and like a Chinaman and like every boat person in between.

From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee