pidgin English

or Pidgin English

noun

1. a pidgin language based on English formerly used in commerce in Chinese ports.
2. a similar language used in other areas, such as Papua New Guinea (where it has semiofficial status) and parts of West Africa.

pidgin English

noun

1. a pidgin in which one of the languages involved is English

Word History and Origins

Origin of pidgin English¹

1820–30; pidgin, pigeon < Chinese Pidgin English: business, affair; etymology uncertain, but often alleged to be Chin pronunciation of business

Example Sentences

Chop” is pidgin-English for “quick,” the Chinese word for the articles being kwai-tsze, meaning “the quick ones.

From Project Gutenberg

Have you ever heard a light-yellow, lean, sad, earnest Chinaman stutter in pidgin-English?

From Project Gutenberg

The author aims at copying the methods of naturally formed international languages like the lingua franca or Pidgin-English.

From Project Gutenberg

Pidgin-English amused me very much, as it amuses every one who visits China.

From Project Gutenberg

He seemed to be having difficulty with the language, and was eking out his Pidgin-English with pantomime.

From Project Gutenberg