Re: Chinaman's
Chance
Posted by Bruce
Kahl on February 12, 2003 In Reply to: Re:
Chinaman's Chance posted by ESC on February 12, 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"?
Nope, please
keep saying it.
Eventually and hopefully racist and stereotypical phrases will
fade away--not with a bang but.....
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