English
look-see
Look-see comes from Chinese Pidgin English look-see.
- Chinese Pidgin Englishmodernlook-see
- Englishearliest quotation 1932same form
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Chinese Pidgin Englishmodernlook-see
- Englishearliest quotation 1932same form
Earliest quotation: 1932, Delos W. Lovelace, King Kong: “‘It’s the first native island I ever called at…”
Every English word from Chinese Pidgin English look-see
Today it means
noun A brief examination, a peek or glance.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Chinese Pidgin English look-see / look-see