Re: OT: Junk/Dim S(ui)m

MR = me
JC = John Cowan

MR> It's another example of the English using "Chinese" to indicate
MR> variance from a word's normal meaning.   At least in this case it's not
MR> directly pejorative, unlike, say, "Chinese fire drill", etc.

JC> Fair enough.  But though "Dutch" is often used in the same way (D. anchor,
JC> D. courage, double D., D. treat, etc. etc.), a Dutch auction (the asking
JC> price is lowered steadily until someone bids) actually does seem to have
JC> been in use there.  The gambling aspect of what Kou described does make
JC> it seem at least a tad Chinese....

True.   I was jumping to conclusions; it's possible that in this case it
has a genuinely Chinese origin.  I'd be willing to wager that's not the case,
but only a small amount. :)

-Mark