Chink (noun)
1. Criminal Cant / Archaic Slang
Meaning: Money; coin; hard cash.
Origin: 17th–18th century British underworld slang, likely from the clinking sound of coins.
Usage: “Got me some chink last night off a sleepy merchant—easy pickings!”
Note: Common among rogues, pickpockets, and street thieves in early modern England.
2. Modern Offensive Slur – Ethnic
Meaning: A derogatory term for a person of Chinese or East Asian descent.
Origin: Racial slur dating back to the late 19th century, now considered deeply offensive.
Usage: Avoid entirely.
Note: Use of this term is highly inappropriate in all modern contexts and can cause offense.
Example in Dialogue – “Time Rogue in the Park”
Scene: A busy urban park in present-day America. The 18th-century criminal, dressed in worn, old-fashioned clothes, looks around bewildered. A modern young man with a rainbow pin and a T-shirt saying “Love is Love” notices him and approaches.
Woke Man: Hey there! You look a bit lost. Need some help, hon?
18th-Century Criminal: (squinting) By the heavens, good sir, I find myself most perplexed. Pray, what land is this where the streets are paved and men wear such strange garments?
Woke Man: (smiling) This is America, sweetie. Land of the free and home of the brave. So, where you from?
18th-Century Criminal: I hail from London, anno 1775. Pray tell, what year is this?
Woke Man: (laughs) Babe, it’s 2025. You’re a long way from home! What brings you here?
18th-Century Criminal: (eyes narrowing) ’Tis a tale most queer — I was pursued by the constables, escaped through some devilish contraption, and now I’m here. Pray, what manner of folk dost thou count among thy acquaintances?
Woke Man: (flashes his phone) Oh, I mostly hang with the queer community — lots of gay guys, trans folks, all kinds of beautiful people. Personally, I’m really into Chinese guys. Asian men have my heart, you know? Love me some chink.
18th-Century Criminal: (perking up) Chink, you say? Now that’s a delight to hear! I was afeared the world had gone mad, but at least some pleasures remain constant. (grinning) Chink! A fine word! Music to a rogue’s ear. At last, a tongue I understand — coin, blunt, brass, lucre! You moderns aren’t so foreign after all!
Woke Man: (tilting his head) Uh… wait, what exactly do you mean by "chink"?
18th-Century Criminal: (proudly) Coin, sir! The sweet clatter of silver! You did say it, did you not?
Woke Man: (eyes widen, horrified) Oh no… oh no no. I didn’t mean money, I meant… oh God, you can’t just say that word out loud anymore. It’s a slur now!
18th-Century Criminal: (confused) A slur? For coin?
Woke Man: (sighs) Not for coin, for people. Specifically East Asians. Like Chinese guys.
18th-Century Criminal: (baffled) You name men after money? Are they so valuable?
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