Chinee

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Contents

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

Backformation from Chinese

[edit] Noun

Chinee (plural Chinees)

  1. a person from China

[edit] Usage notes

  • Now considered merely an illiterate alternative to Chinese, this was a pejorative term in the United States in the 19th century.
  • Appeared in Robert A. Heinlein's "The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress". The heavily multi-ethnic Moon/Luna settlers ("Loonies") made frequent use of it, apparently as a simple corruption of "Chinese" since no derogatory intent was clear. Transition from pejorative to neutral vernacular is also possible.

[edit] Related terms

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