Re: Chinaman's
Chance
Posted by ESC on February 12, 2003
In Reply to: China-man's Chance posted by
S. on February 11, 2003
: Hello, I was just hoping some one might
know the origin and meaning of the phrase "China-man's chance". Thanks in advance
for any assistance.
CHINAMAN'S CHANCE - ".an extremely slim chance or no chance."
The first citation is for 1911. An entry before this one is "play (someone) for
a Chinaman - to treat as a fool." The earliest citation for that phrase is 1873.
From "Random House Historical Dictionary of American Slang, Volume 1, A-G" by
J.E. Lighter, Random House, New York, 1994.
Do I have to say that these phrases
are "now usu. considered offensive"?
- Re: Chinaman's Chance
Bruce Kahl 02/12/03 (2)
|