Pidgin

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈpɪdʒɪn/
• US enPR: pÄ­jʹən, IPA: /ˈpɪdÊ’É™n/
• Rhymes: -ɪdÊ’É™n, -ɪdʒɪn
• Homophones: pigeon

Origin

From pidgin English, from a Chinese Pidgin English pronunciation of English business during trades in the . Other suggested derivations include:

• Hebrew (pidjom, "exchange; trade; redemption")

John Holmes, An introduction to pidgins and creoles, Cambridge University Press (2000)

• Chinese pronunciation of Portuguese ocupação ("occupation; business")

Holmes

• South Seas pronunciation of English beach

Holmes

• Portuguese baixo ("low")

Holmes

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Full definition of pidgin

Noun

1. (linguistics) 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.

Related terms

• pidgin English
• Pijin

Derived terms

• West African Pidgin Portuguese