Chinchón
/tʃinˈtʃon/noun
A Spanish card game in which players try to form sets or sequences, also the name of a town southeast of Madrid.
Did you know?Spanish *chinchón* can mean both the card game and a lump caused by a blow to the head, while the word’s ultimate origin is unresolved.
Etymological Timeline
Uncertain premodern origin
Spanish
chinchón
“A term of uncertain origin; proposed connections are not securely established.”
16th–17th Century
Spanish
Chinchón
“Recorded as the name of a town near Madrid, now famous for its historic square and anise liqueur.”
Early Modern Spanish
Spanish
chinchón
“A bump or swelling on the head caused by a blow.”
19th Century
Spanish
chinchón
“The name of a popular Spanish card game involving melds of cards.”
Modern English
English
chinchón
“A loanword used for the Spanish card game and, less commonly, the Spanish place-name.”
Explore more surprising origins