English Explanatory Dictionary

pidgin

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. An amalgamation of two disparate languages, used by two populations having no common language as a lingua franca to communicate with each other, lacking formalized grammar and having a small, utilitarian vocabulary and no native speakers.
  2. A person's business, occupation, work, or trade (also spelt as pigeon).

Pronunciation

/ˈpɪ.d͡ʒɪn/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-pidgin.wav pĭjʹən /ˈpɪ.d͡ʒən/

Word forms

pidgin pidgins

Etymology

From pidgin English, from a Chinese Pidgin English pronunciation of English business during trade in the Far East. All attestations of pidgin from the first half of the nineteenth century given in the third edition of the Oxford English Dictionary mean “business; an action, occupation, or affair” (the earliest being from 1807). Other suggested derivations include: * Hebrew פִּדְיוֹן (pidyón, “exchange; trade; redemption”) * Chinese pronunciation of Portuguese ocupação (“occupation; business”) * South Seas pronunciation of beach * Portuguese baixo (“low”)

Synonyms

baragouin

Related words

pidgin English creole

Derived words

Chinese pidgin English expanded pidgin Melanesian Pidgin English New South Wales Pidgin English NSW Pidgin English pidginisation pidginization pidginise pidginize pidginist pidginogenic Pijin Port Jackson Pidgin prepidgin Queensland Pidgin English Tok Pisin West African Pidgin Portuguese
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