Chinee
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Contents |
[edit] English
[edit] Etymology
Backformation from Chinese
[edit] Noun
Chinee (plural Chinees)
- 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.
