Sunday Word: Gung Ho

[theidolhands.livejournal.com]

Happy Chinese New Year! Last year I brought you a thorough explanation of Lion Dance, which is as much an art as a survivor of severe religious persecution. This year let's celebrate China's influence on the English language and get "gung ho" about Gong Hey Fat Choy!


My Little Pony made an exclusive doll for Year of The Horse

工合
gung·ho [ɡʌŋ həʊ]:
origin: (1942) Mandarin; slang, kung= work + ho= together (short for: Gongye Hezhoushe) via WWII.

adjective
1. showing earnest excitement, ready to accomplish a goal or cause, possibly over-zealous
2. passionate about militaristic exercises or combat; "can do" attitude
→ from the elite Marines: Major Evans Carlson's Gung Ho Battalion

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE CHINESE WORD?

Comments

[med_cat]

How interesting! Never knew this word came from Chinese :)

[tempura.livejournal.com]

Omg, that's the cutest MLP doll I've ever seen. I must... have... it.

[insaneladybug.livejournal.com]

(Catching up on the Friends list.)

This is the last place I thought I'd see a My Little Pony. :) Hello, Pinkie!

And very interesting; I never knew about the origin of that word!

[theidolhands.livejournal.com]

He, he, he. Well. I don't want to name names, but one of us wordsmiths just might be a bit of a bronie.

Although of course this was strictly for science. *ahem*