chow

Where does the word "chow" come from? It comes from Chinese Pidgin English chow chow, and was adopted directly into English (1850s).

Chow’s story begins in Chinese Pidgin English: chow chow meant “mixed goods, food.” A term used in Chinese port trade for mixed goods or food. It reached English by 1850s as chow. Settled in informal English as a word for food. Today, chow means informal word for food.

1. Stage 1 · Chinese Pidgin English · 1800s chow chow "mixed goods, food", a term used in Chinese port trade for mixed goods or food.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1850s chow "food", settled in informal English as a word for food.