Chinaman's chance

Chinaman's chance
No chance; zero possibility; a high or almost certain risk of death or failure.

The Chinese, who in the mid-19th century had come to America by the tens of thousands and helped build the transcontinental railway, were on the receiving end of much prejudicial legislation. . . . In the slang wisdom of the day, sojourners from the Middle Kingdom "didnt stand a Chinamans chance."


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  • Chinaman's chance — The expression a Chinaman s chance means someone has no chance at all of accomplishing or successfully doing an action. The original phrase, from the California gold rush, was that one had only a Chinaman s Chance in Hell, but it morphed through… …   Wikipedia

  • chinaman's chance — noun Usage: usually capitalized 1st C slang : the slightest or barest chance usually used in negative constructions he hasn t a Chinaman s chance of winning …   Useful english dictionary

  • a Chinaman's chance — idi+sts a Chinaman s chance, usu. off. the slightest chance …   From formal English to slang

  • Chinaman (term) — Chinaman is a contentious English language term that denotes a Chinese man or person, whether by Han Chinese ethnicity, or as a Chinese national, or, in some cases, an indiscriminate term for a person native to geographical East Asia or of… …   Wikipedia

  • Chinaman — (term) is a contentious term referring to a Chinese person whether of Han Chinese ethnicity or a citizen of China, Chinese people. Or the term may also refer to: A colloquial term for a square hay baler overhead feeding plunger An alternate term… …   Wikipedia

  • Chinaman (disambiguation) — Chinaman refers to a Chinese man, but the term may also refer to:* Chinaman (cricket), a style of bowling * Chinaman (politics), epithet used in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. * Chinaman (porcelain), a figurine or a dealer * Chinaman (ship), engaged in… …   Wikipedia

  • Chinaman — /chuy neuh meuhn/, n., pl. Chinamen. 1. Usually Offensive. a Chinese or a person of Chinese descent. 2. (l.c.) a person who imports or sells china. 3. (often l.c.) Political Slang. a person regarded as one s benefactor, sponsor, or protector: to… …   Universalium

  • Chinaman — Chi•na•man [[t]ˈtʃaɪ nə mən[/t]] n. pl. men sts peo off older use: usu. off. (a term used to refer to a Chinese.) • a Chinaman s chance Etymology: 1765–75 usage: Definition1is rarely used today. Definition1as well as the expression a Chinaman s… …   From formal English to slang

  • Chinese American history — is the history of Chinese Americans or the history of ethnic Chinese in the United States. Chinese immigration to the U.S. consisted of three major waves, with the first beginning in the 19th century. Chinese immigrants in the 19th century worked …   Wikipedia

  • Ross Thomas (author) — Ross Thomas (born February 19, 1926, in Oklahoma City – December 18, 1995, in Santa Monica, California) was an American writer of crime fiction. He is best known for his witty thrillers that expose the mechanisms of professional politics. He also …   Wikipedia

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