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This blog is about the fascinating, fun, and challenging things about the English language. I hope to entertain you and to help you with problems or just questions you might have with spelling and usage. I go beyond just stating what is right and what is wrong, and provide some history or some tips to help you remember. Is something puzzling you? Feel free to email me at wordlady.barber@gmail.com.
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Friday, January 20, 2012

Chopstick

For Lunar New Year (celebrated this coming Monday), let's look at a word English acquired from Chinese: chopstick. The English started trading with the Chinese in the 1600s, and to facilitate communication a pidgin, or mixture of the two languages, grew up. In Chinese pidgin, “chop” meant “quick” (this is also the origin of “chop-chop” meaning “hurry”.) “Chopsticks” were “quick sticks”, a partial translation of the Chinese name for them, kwaizi, literally “nimble children” or “nimble ones”.
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About Me

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Canada's Word Lady, Katherine Barber is an expert on the English language and a frequent guest on radio and television. She was Editor-in-Chief of the Canadian Oxford Dictionary. Her witty and informative talks on the stories behind our words are very popular. Contact her at wordlady.barber@gmail.com to book her for speaking engagements; she can tailor her talks to almost any subject. She is also available as an expert witness for lawsuits.