Chink Explained

Chink is an English-language ethnic slur usually referring to a person of Chinese descent,[1] but also used to insult people with East Asian features. The use of the term describing eyes with epicanthic folds is considered highly offensive and is regarded as racist by many.[2] [3]

Etymology

Various dictionaries provide different etymologies of the word chink; for example, that it originated from the Chinese courtesy ching-ching,[4] that it evolved from the word China,[5] or that it was an alteration of Qing (Ch'ing), as in the Qing dynasty.[6]

Another possible origin is that chink evolved from the word for China in an Indo-Iranian language, ultimately deriving from the name of the Qing dynasty. That word is now pronounced similarly in various Indo-European languages.[7]

History

The first recorded use of the word chink is from approximately 1880. As far as is ascertainable, its adjective form, chinky, first appeared in print in 1878.[8]

Around the turn of the 20th century, many white Americans in the Northern United States perceived Chinese immigration as a threat to their living standards. However, Chinese workers were still desired in the Western United States due to persistent labor shortages. Chinese butcher crews were held in such high esteem that when Edmund A. Smith patented his mechanized fish-butchering machine in 1905, he named it the Iron Chink[9] which is seen by some as symbolic of anti-Chinese racism during the era.[10] [11] Usage of the word continued, such as with the story "The Chink and the Child", by Thomas Burke, which was later adapted to film by D. W. Griffith. Griffith altered the story to be more racially sensitive and renamed it Broken Blossoms.

Although chink refers to those appearing to be of Chinese descent, the term has also been directed towards people of other East and Southeast Asian ethnicities. Literature and film about the Vietnam war contain examples of this usage, including the film Platoon (1986) and the play Sticks and Bones (1971, also later filmed).[12] [13]

Worldwide usage

Australia

The terms Chinaman and chink became intertwined, as some Australians used both with hostile intent when referring to members of the country's Chinese population, which had swelled significantly during the Gold Rush era of the 1850s and 1860s.[14]

Assaults on Chinese miners and racially motivated riots and public disturbances were not infrequent occurrences in Australia's mining districts in the second half of the 19th century. There was some resentment, too, of the fact that Chinese miners and laborers tended to send their earnings back home to their families in China rather than spending them in Australia and supporting the local economy.

In the popular Sydney Bulletin magazine in 1887, one author wrote: "No nigger, no chink, no lascar, no kanaka (laborer from the South Pacific islands), no purveyor of cheap labour, is an Australian."[15] Eventually, since-repealed federal government legislation was passed to restrict non-white immigration and thus protect the jobs of Anglo-Celtic Australian workers from "undesirable" competition.

India

In India, the ethnic slur chinki (or chinky) is frequently directed against people with East Asian features, including people from Northeast India, and Nepal,[16] who are often mistaken for Chinese, despite being closer to Tibetans and the Burmese than to Han Chinese peoples.[17]

In 2012, the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs recognized use of the term "chinki" to refer to a member of the Scheduled Tribes (especially in the North-East) as a criminal offense under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act with a penalty of up to five years in jail. The Ministry further warned that they would very seriously review any failure of the police to enforce this interpretation of the Act.[18]

United Kingdom

Chinky (or chinky chonky[19]) is a slur for a Chinese takeaway restaurant or Chinese food and Chinese people[20] which, in parts of northern England, are known as a chinkies, always in the plural.

The 1969 top 3 UK hit single for Blue Mink, "Melting Pot", has the lyric: "take a pinch of white man/Wrap him up in black skin. [...] Mixed with yellow Chinkees. You know you lump it all together/And you got a recipe for a get-along scene/Oh what a beautiful dream/If it could only come true".[21] In August 2019, British broadcaster Global permanently deleted the song from its Gold playlist after a complaint about offensive language was lodged with British broadcasting regulator Ofcom. Under the direction of the Communications Act 2003, Ofcom ruled that "the phrase 'yellow Chinkies' had the potential to be highly offensive" and "that the use of derogatory language to describe ethnic groups carries a widespread potential for offence". Ofcom considered that the passage of time since the song's release and the song's positive message of racial harmony did not "mitigate the potential for offence." Ofcom determined that the "potentially offensive material was not justified by the context" and ruled the case resolved as the licensee Global had removed the song from Gold's playlist.[22] In September 2019, Scottish community radio station Black Diamond FM removed "Melting Pot" from its playlist and "planned to carry out refresher training with its staff" after two complaints about the song's broadcast were lodged with Ofcom. Ofcom ruled in December 2019 that Black Diamond was in breach of Ofcom's Broadcasting Code because "the potentially offensive language in this broadcast was not justified by the context".[23] [24]

In 1999, an exam given to students in Scotland was criticized for containing a passage that students were told to interpret containing the word chinky. This exam was taken by students all over Scotland, and Chinese groups expressed offence at the use of this passage. The examinations body apologized, calling the passage's inclusion "an error of judgement."[25]

In 2002, the Broadcasting Standards Commission, after a complaint about the BBC One programme The Vicar of Dibley, held that when used as the name of a type of restaurant or meal, rather than as an adjective applied to a person or group of people, the word still carries extreme racist connotation which causes offence particularly to those of East Asian origin.[26]

In 2004, the commission's counterpart, the Radio Authority, apologised for the offence caused by an incident where a DJ on Heart 106.2 used the term.[27]

In a 2005 document commissioned by Ofcom titled "Language and Sexual Imagery in Broadcasting: A Contextual Investigation" their definition of chink was "a term of racial offence/abuse. However, this is polarising. Older and mainly white groups tend to think this is not usually used in an abusive way—e.g., let's go to the Chinky—which is not seen as offensive by those who aren't of East Asian origin; Chinky usually refers to food not a culture or race however, younger people, East Asians, particularly people of Chinese origin and other non-white ethnic minorities believe the word 'Chinky, Chinkies or Chinkie' to be as insulting as 'paki' or 'nigger'."[28]

In 2006, after several campaigns by the Scottish Executive, more people in Scotland now acknowledge that this name is indirectly racist.[29], British broadcasting regulator Ofcom considers the word to be "Strongest language, highly unacceptable without strong contextualisation. Seen as derogatory to Chinese people. More mixed views regarding use of the term to mean 'Chinese takeaway'".

In 2014, the term gained renewed attention after a recording emerged of UKIP candidate Kerry Smith referring to a woman of Chinese background as a "chinky bird".[30]

United States

The Pekin Community High School District 303 teams in Pekin, Illinois were officially known as the "Pekin Chinks" until 1981, when the school administration changed the name to the "Pekin Dragons". The event received national attention.[31] [32]

During early 2000, University of California, Davis experienced a string of racial incidents and crimes between Asian and white students, mostly among fraternities. Several incidents included "chink" and other racial epithets being shouted among groups, including the slurs being used during a robbery and assault on an Asian fraternity by 15 white males. The incidents motivated a school-wide review and protest to get professional conflict resolution and culturally sensitive mediators.[33]

Sarah Silverman appeared on Late Night with Conan O'Brien in 2001, stirring up controversy when the word chink was used without the usual bleep appearing over ethnic slurs on network television. The controversy led Asian activist and community leader Guy Aoki to appear on the talk show Politically Incorrect along with Sarah Silverman. Guy Aoki alleged that Silverman did not believe that the term was offensive.[34]

New York City radio station Hot 97 was criticized for airing the "Tsunami Song". Referring to the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, in which over an estimated 200,000 people died, the song used the phrase "screaming chinks" along with other offensive lyrics. The radio station fired a co-host and producer, and indefinitely suspended radio personality Miss Jones, who was later reinstated. Members of the Asian American community said Miss Jones' reinstatement condoned hate speech.[35]

A Philadelphia eatery, Chink's Steaks, created controversy beginning in 2004 with articles appearing in the Philadelphia Daily News and other newspapers.[36] The restaurant was asked by Asian community groups[37] to change the name. The restaurant was named after the original Jewish-American owner's nickname, "Chink", derived from the ethnic slur due to his "slanty eyes".[38] The restaurant was renamed Joe's in 2013.[39] [40] [41] [42] [43]

In February 2012, ESPN fired one employee and suspended another for using the headline "Chink in the Armor" in reference to Jeremy Lin, an American basketball player of Taiwanese and Chinese descent.[44] [45] While the word chink also refers to a crack or fissure and chink in the armor is an idiom and common sports cliché, referring to a vulnerability,[46] the "apparently intentional" double entendre of its use in reference to an Asian athlete was viewed as offensive.[47]

In September 2019, after it was announced that Shane Gillis would be joining Saturday Night Live as a featured cast member, clips from Gillis' podcast in 2018 resurfaced, in which Gillis made anti-Asian jokes, including using the word "chink". The revelation sparked public outcry, with several outlets noting the disconnect of hiring Gillis along with Bowen Yang, the show's first Chinese American cast member.[48] [49] After Gillis issued what was characterized as a non-apology apology,[50] [51] a spokesperson for Lorne Michaels announced Gillis would be let go prior to his first episode due to the controversy.

In May 2021, Tony Hinchcliffe was videotaped insulting Peng Dang, an Asian American comedian who had introduced Hinchcliffe after performing the previous set at a comedy club in Austin, Texas, by referring to Dang as a "filthy little fucking chink".[52] Dang posted the video on Twitter, resulting in heavy backlash against Hinchliffe, who was subsequently dropped by his agency and removed from several scheduled shows.[53]

See also

Sources

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Chink Definition of chink by Merriam-Webster . 23 January 2013 . 24 January 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130124104137/http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chink . live .
  2. Web site: Hsu. Huan. No More Chinks in the Armor. Slate. 21 February 2012. 9 May 2012. 8 May 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120508125426/http://www.slate.com/articles/sports/the_good_word/2012/02/chink_in_the_armor_jeremy_lin_why_it_s_time_to_retire_the_phrase_for_good_.html. live.
  3. News: McNeal. Greg. ESPN Uses 'Chink in the Armor' Line Twice UPDATE- ESPN Fires One Employee Suspends Another. Forbes. 9 May 2012. 18 February 2012. 9 May 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120509063819/http://www.forbes.com/sites/gregorymcneal/2012/02/18/espn-uses-chink-in-the-armor-line-twice-did-linsanity-just-go-racist/. live.
  4. Book: Cassell's Dictionary of Slang. Orion Publishing Group. November 2005. 978-0304366361.
  5. Book: The Oxford Dictionary of Slang. Oxford University Press. December 2003. 978-0198607632.
  6. Book: 21st Century Dictionary of Slang. Random House, Inc.. 1 January 1994. 978-0-440-21551-6. registration.
  7. Book: The Oxford Dictionary of Slang. Oxford University Press. December 2003. 978-0-19-860763-2.
  8. Book: Tom Dalzell . Terry Victor . New Partridge Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English. registration . Routledge. 12 May 2005. 978-0-415-21258-8.
  9. News: Revolution on a Dare; Edmund A. Smith and His Famous Fish-butchering Machine. The myth arose that Edmund Smith had designed the machine specifically to fire Chinese workers. Philip B. C. Jones. 1 June 2011. 25 July 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110725173046/http://stories.washingtonhistory.org/leschi/teaching/pdfs/sts-ironchink.pdf. live.
  10. Web site: Acts of Exclusion. Wing, Avra. AsianWeek. 14 January 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20061021055731/http://news.asianweek.com/news/view_article.html?article_id=adce7c26150f960d57b3f2913d47b7aa . 21 October 2006.
  11. Web site: HistoryLink.org- the Free Online Encyclopedia of Washington State History . 1 June 2011 . 22 June 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110622082339/http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&File_Id=2109 . live .
  12. http://www.imsdb.com/scripts/Platoon.html Accessed 31 March 2007.
  13. New York Times, 26 April 1971, p. 10.
  14. Yu. Ouyang. 1993. All the Lower Orders: Representations of the Chinese Cooks, Market Gardeners and Other Lower-Class People in Australian Literature from 1888 to 1988. Kunapipi. 15. 3. March 10, 2023. 10 March 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230310222333/https://ro.uow.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2174&context=kunapipi. live.
  15. Hughes, Geoffrey. An Encyclopedia of Swearing. Armonk, New York: M.E. Sharpe, 2006.
  16. Web site: Northeast students question 'racism' in India. CNN-IBN. 6 June 2009. 28 November 2009. 28 June 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090628090155/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/northeast-students-question-racism-in-india/94320-3.html. dead.
  17. News: Indians Protest, Saying a Death Was Tied to Bias . The New York Times . 1 February 2014 . 26 February 2017 . 7 November 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171107042954/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/02/world/asia/indians-protest-saying-a-death-was-tied-to-bias.html . live .
  18. Web site: North-East racial slur could get you jailed for five years . Aman . Sharma . India Today . 3 June 2012 . 27 July 2012 . 5 August 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120805093458/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/north-east-racial-slur-home-ministry-sc--st-act-jail-term/1/198828.html . live .
  19. Book: Britslang: An Uncensored A-Z of the People's Language, Including Rhyming Slang. Ray Puxley. 98. 2004. Robson. 1-86105-728-8.
  20. Web site: TV's most offensive words. 21 November 2005. The Guardian.
  21. Web site: Melting Pot Lyrics . metrolyrics.com . dead. 9 May 2017 . 14 December 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171214223000/http://www.metrolyrics.com/melting-pot-lyrics-blue-mink.html.
  22. Book: Broadcast and On Demand Bulletin . The Music Marathon: Gold, 27 May 2019, 12:45 . 15–18 . Ofcom . 27 August 2019 . 385 . 20 November 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201120181102/https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0022/163507/issue-385-broadcast-and-on-demand-bulletin.pdf#page=15 . live . 19 December 2023 .
  23. Book: Broadcast and On Demand Bulletin . Geoff Ruderham: Black Diamond FM 107.8, 2 September 2019, 12:23 . 12–15 . Ofcom . 12 December 2019 . 392 . 4 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230604133204/https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0033/182679/Issue-392-broadcast-and-on-demand-bulletin.pdf#page=12 . live . 19 December 2023 .
  24. News: Complaints upheld against station playing Melting Pot by Blue Mink . . 2 December 2019 . 15 April 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210415134947/https://radiotoday.co.uk/2019/12/complaints-upheld-against-station-playing-melting-pot-by-blue-mink/ . live . 19 December 2023 .
  25. News: Chinese 'slur' wins apology. BBC News. 29 June 1999. 6 April 2007. 9 March 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080309043421/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/380867.stm. live.
  26. The Vicar Of Dibley. http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20040104233440/http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/archive/bsc/pdfs/bulletin/bulletin56.pdf. dead. 2004-01-04. 19. 2002-07-25. 56. The Bulletin. 56. Broadcasting Standards Commission.
  27. Web site: Radio Authority Quarterly Complaints Bulletin: April – June 2001 . http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20040104233440/http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/archive/rau/publications-archive/adobe-pdf/regulation/quart-bulletins/bullet42.pdf . dead . 2004-01-04 . 25 . June 2001 . 42 . Radio Authority.
  28. Web site: Language and Sexual Imagery in Broadcasting: A Contextual Investigation . https://web.archive.org/web/20170418083626/https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/24015/language.pdf . 18 April 2017 . dead . Ofcom . September 2005 . The Fuse Group . 85 . 9 April 2022 .
  29. Book: One Scotland Many Cultures 2005/2006 — Waves 6 and 7 Campaign Evaluation. 2006-09-13. Scottish Executive. dead. 11 August 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160811174255/http://www.gov.scot/Resource/Doc/148647/0039524.pdf. 0-7559-6242-7. 0950-2254.
  30. News: Farage defends 'rough diamond' former UKIP candidate. BBC News. 19 December 2014. 9 April 2022. 9 April 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220409181712/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-30546515. live.
  31. Web site: 1981: The Pekin Chinks high school team becomes the Pekin Dragons. Chinese-American Museum of Chicago. 30 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150819070808/http://www.ccamuseum.org/index.php/en/research/research-1900-1949/128-1981-the-pekin-chinks-high-school-team-becomes-the-pekin-dragons. 19 August 2015. dead.
  32. News: Stainbrook. Michael. The hunt for 'Red' alternatives. 30 July 2015. Chicago Tribune. 26 September 2014. 19 October 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151019092212/http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/highschool/ct-spt-0921-prep-sunday-special-mascots-sider-20140920-story.html. live.
  33. Web site: Hate Crimes Galvanize U.C. Davis Students . Banerjee, Neela . Asianweek.com . 16 February 2001 . 3 April 2007 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20071013162308/http://www.asianweek.com/2001_02_16/bay1_ucdavisprotest.html . 13 October 2007 .
  34. Web site: ABC's Politically Incorrect Tackles Comedian's 'Chink' Joke . AsianWeek . 24 August 2000 . 22 March 2007 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20060527211343/http://www.asianweek.com/2001_08_24/news_polit_incor.html . 27 May 2006 .
  35. Web site: 'Tsunami Song' Host Miss Jones Returns . Yellowworld.org . Fang . Jennifer . James . Fujikawa . 16 February 2005 . 3 April 2007 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20060718094830/http://yellowworld.org/top_stories/295.html . 18 July 2006 .
  36. Web site: Says . Gary . 2008-04-28 . Northeast cheesesteak joint shows prejudice - The Temple News . 2023-12-14 . temple-news.com . en-US . 14 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231214224602/https://temple-news.com/northeast-cheesesteak-joint-shows-prejudice/ . live .
  37. News: Aoyagi . Caroline . 6 February 2004 . AA Groups demand name change for Philadelphia eatery, "Chink's Steacks" . live . . 138 . 1–2 . 0030-8579 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211117010953/https://pacificcitizen.org/wp-content/uploads/archives-menu/Vol.138_%2302_Feb_06_2004.pdf . 17 November 2021 . 13 October 2023.
  38. Web site: Only 21, she's leading steak-shop fight . The Asian American Journalists Association – Philadelphia . 1 April 2004 . 22 March 2007 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070403193647/http://chapters.aaja.org/Philadelphia/csteaks.html . 3 April 2007 .
  39. Web site: Chink's Steaks changing its name . 28 March 2013 . 29 January 2014 . 19 February 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140219134548/http://www.philly.com/philly/food/Chinks-Steaks-changing-its-name.html . live .
  40. Web site: Chink's Steaks Sign No Longer Hanging In Northeast Philadelphia « CBS Philly . April 2013 . 29 January 2014 . 2 February 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140202104153/http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2013/04/01/iconic-northeast-philadelphia-cheesesteak-joint-changes-name/ . live .
  41. Web site: Joe's Steaks + Soda Shop . 29 January 2014 . 30 January 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140130124605/http://joessteaks.com/ . live .
  42. Web site: Take that, racists: Eat at Joe's (formerly Chink's Steaks) . 29 January 2014 . 2 February 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140202104319/http://blog.angryasianman.com/2013/08/take-that-racists-eat-at-joes-formerly.html . live .
  43. Web site: Chink's Steaks Is Now Joe's Steaks + Soda Shop – Foobooz . 28 March 2013 . 29 January 2014 . 3 February 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140203000523/http://www.phillymag.com/foobooz/2013/03/28/chinks-steaks-is-now-joes-steaks-soda-shop/ . live .
  44. News: Boren . Cindy . ESPN fires employee for offensive Jeremy Lin headline; "SNL" weighs in . 19 February 2012 . The Washington Post . https://web.archive.org/web/20120220112955/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/early-lead/post/espn-fires-employee-for-offensive-jeremy-lin-headline-snl-weighs-in-video/2012/02/19/gIQAYO7qNR_blog.html . 20 February 2012 . dead .
  45. News: Collins . Scott . Jeremy Lin and ESPN: Network rushes to quell furor over 'chink' comments . 19 February 2012 . Los Angeles Times . https://web.archive.org/web/20120219223447/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2012/02/espn-jeremy-lin-chink-comments-fired-suspended.html . 19 February 2012 . dead .
  46. Web site: chink in one's armor . Dictionary.com . Houghton Mifflin Company . 19 February 2012 . 14 March 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120314201945/http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/chink+in+one's+armor . live .
  47. News: Dwyer . Kelly . Apparently intentional, ESPN's since-deleted headline about Jeremy Lin was distressing . 18 February 2012 . Yahoo! . https://web.archive.org/web/20120218204426/http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/whether-intentional-not-espn-since-deleted-headline-jeremy-192208429.html . 18 February 2012 . dead .
  49. Web site: New "SNL" cast member Shane Gillis exposed in videos using racist and homophobic slurs. Lewis. Sophie. September 13, 2019. CBS News. en-US. September 13, 2019. 15 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210515171731/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/new-snl-cast-member-shane-gillis-exposed-in-videos-using-racist-and-homophobic-slurs/. live.
  50. News: Racist jokes by new SNL cast member Shane Gillis prompt backlash — and a non-apology about "risks". Abad-Santos. Alex. September 13, 2019. Vox. September 13, 2019. 14 March 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210314025958/https://www.vox.com/platform/amp/culture/2019/9/13/20864098/snl-shane-gillis-racist-homophobic-jokes-controversy-backlash. live.
  51. Web site: New 'SNL' Cast Member Spews Racist Asian Jokes, Slur In Resurfaced Video. Herreria. Carla. September 13, 2019. HuffPost. September 13, 2019. 25 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210625041013/https://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/us_5d7ada5ae4b077dcbd5b2b32/amp. live.
  52. Web site: 2021-05-12. Tony Hinchcliffe goes on racist rant after being introduced by Asian-American comedian. 2021-05-12. The Daily Dot. en-US. 12 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210512231923/https://www.dailydot.com/unclick/tony-hinchcliffe-racist-peng-dang/. live.
  53. Web site: 2021-05-13. Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe dropped by WME and Joe Rogan gigs after slur against Chinese comedian: reports. 2021-05-15. New York Daily News. en-US. 15 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210515162254/https://www.nydailynews.com/snyde/ny-comic-tony-hinchcliffe-let-go-by-wme-after-anti-asian-slur-against-peng-dang-20210513-7xqq6fhycfcd5e3krh6ztceylu-story.html. live.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Chink".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2025, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.