joss
/dʒɒs/
noun
Origin
Portuguese
deus — god
Overview
Meaning Now
- A Chinese deity or idol, often used in a colonial or pidgin context.
- Luck or fate, specifically in the context of fortune or chance.
Language path
Portuguese → Pidgin English → English
Earliest form
joss
Earliest period
18th century
Journey
The term originated in the 18th century as part of Chinese Pidgin English. European sailors and traders in Southern China heard the word 'deus' (god) used by Portuguese merchants and misheard or adapted it, eventually associating it with local Chinese religious figures and images. It became a staple of the vocabulary of Westerners in the Far East.
Evolution
- Latin
deus
“god”
- Portuguese
deos
“god”
Used by early European traders in China.
- Chinese Pidgin English
joss
“deity; image of a deity”
Represented the Chinese perception of European religious idols.
- 19th century English
joss
“luck or fate”
Semantic broadening from religious luck to general fortune.
Connections
Related across languages
Portuguese
deus
god
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Related to joss
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.