Chinaman
/ˈtʃaɪnəˌmæn/noun
An old term for a Chinese man; today it is generally considered offensive or outdated.
Did you know?Unlike words with ancient roots, this term is a straightforward English compound from China + man, and its modern offensiveness comes from historical racism, not a hidden mystical etymology.
Etymological Timeline
16th Century
English
China
“The name of the country, borrowed into English from Portuguese and earlier Asian trade routes.”
16th Century
English
man
“An adult human male; also used generically in compounds for a person.”
17th Century
English
Chinaman
“A man from China; a neutral or descriptive compound in early use.”
19th Century
English
Chinaman
“A term increasingly used in racist, colonial, and derogatory contexts.”
Modern English
English
Chinaman
“Widely regarded as offensive and avoided in favor of Chinese man or Chinese person.”