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. Often shortened to: chow. 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

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

Kathryn, on the other hand, is filling up her days with a part-time position at the local mall’s J.Crew outlet and taking care of eight chow chow puppies she’s named after Maroon 5 songs.

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Thick-coated breeds and those with double coats like chow chows, Alaskan huskies, and golden retrievers are better at conserving heat in cool temperatures.

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The opening day was also due to include the judging of a variety of dog breeds, including miniature schnauzers, English toy terriers, Japanese spitz and chow chows.

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Butts moved in with three dogs: Tiger, a boxer; Papi, a Chihuahua; and Pepper, a schnauzer chow chow mix.

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Including a female chow chow named Cha-Cha from a purebred rescue group.

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