Chop chop (phrase)
Encyclopedia
"Chop chop" is a phrase rooted in Cantonese
. It spread through Chinese
workers at sea and has been in North America
since the 19th century. "Chop chop" refers to "hurry, hurry" and means, something should be done now, advance and without any delay. Although the word "chop" appears in chopstick and chop suey
as well, their original roots are found in different Chinese words.
This term has its origins in the South China Sea, as a Pidgin English version of the Chinese term k'wâi-k'wâi . The earliest known citation of chop-chop in print is from the English language newspaper that was printed in Canton in the early 19th century - The Canton Register, 13 May 1834: "We have also... 'chop-chop hurry'."
In Afghanistan
among local nationals and Pakistani jingle truck drivers, it is a common slang phrase. Different from the typical English
use, the term is used to refer to Halal
(a Muslim
concept similar to kosher) meals or just food. Workers coming in contact with American Forces began to use this term when asking for something to eat. It is not exactly known how the phrase came to be. Some soldiers believe that the phrase came about when local nationals were eating and a soldier told them "chop chop" or to eat hastily. The locals took that to be the literal translation of food or to eat.
Cantonese
Cantonese is a dialect spoken primarily in south China.Cantonese may also refer to:* Yue Chinese, the Chinese language that includes Cantonese* Cantonese cuisine, the cuisine of Guangdong province...
. It spread through Chinese
Chinese people
The term Chinese people may refer to any of the following:*People with Han Chinese ethnicity ....
workers at sea and has been in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
since the 19th century. "Chop chop" refers to "hurry, hurry" and means, something should be done now, advance and without any delay. Although the word "chop" appears in chopstick and chop suey
Chop suey
Chop suey is a Chinese dish consisting of meat and eggs, cooked quickly with vegetables such as bean sprouts, cabbage, and celery and bound in a starch-thickened sauce...
as well, their original roots are found in different Chinese words.
This term has its origins in the South China Sea, as a Pidgin English version of the Chinese term k'wâi-k'wâi . The earliest known citation of chop-chop in print is from the English language newspaper that was printed in Canton in the early 19th century - The Canton Register, 13 May 1834: "We have also... 'chop-chop hurry'."
In Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
among local nationals and Pakistani jingle truck drivers, it is a common slang phrase. Different from the typical English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
use, the term is used to refer to Halal
Halal
Halal is a term designating any object or an action which is permissible to use or engage in, according to Islamic law. The term is used to designate food seen as permissible according to Islamic law...
(a Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
concept similar to kosher) meals or just food. Workers coming in contact with American Forces began to use this term when asking for something to eat. It is not exactly known how the phrase came to be. Some soldiers believe that the phrase came about when local nationals were eating and a soldier told them "chop chop" or to eat hastily. The locals took that to be the literal translation of food or to eat.