cheongsam

Where does the word "cheongsam" come from? It comes from Cantonese chèuhngsāam, and was adopted directly into English (1950s-1960s).

Cheongsam’s story begins in Cantonese: chèuhngsāam meant “a fitted, high-collared traditional dress.” Literally 'long garment', naming a fitted, high-collared dress that became fashionable in Shanghai and Hong Kong. It reached English by 1950s-1960s as cheongsam. Cantonese 'long garment'; it became fashionable in 1920s Shanghai, where it is called 'qipao'. Today, cheongsam means a fitted, high-collared traditional Chinese dress, typically with side slits.

1. Stage 1 · Cantonese · 1920s chèuhngsāam "a fitted, high-collared traditional dress", literally 'long garment', naming a fitted, high-collared dress that became fashionable in Shanghai and Hong Kong.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1950s-1960s cheongsam "a fitted, high-collared Chinese dress", Cantonese 'long garment'; it became fashionable in 1920s Shanghai, where it is called 'qipao'.