What language did the word chow come from?

Answer 1

One use of 'chow' in English is an adopted Italian word, spelt 'ciao' in and pronounced 'chow'; it is an informal greeting and means 'hi', 'hello', 'goodbye', 'see you later'.

The word 'chow' meaning 'food', or 'to eat', originated in California with Chinese immigrants and was first recorded in the late eighteenth century. It is believed to come from the Chinese-English term, 'chow-chow', meaning 'mixture' or 'mixed'.

The name of the dog breed, Chow, is recorded in English from the nineteenth century and is believed to be also from the Chinese term for 'mixed'.

The word 'chow' is also used in the north of England, particularly Yorkshire, with the meaning 'to reprimand' or 'to tell off'.

The name, Chow, is also a very common surname among people of Chinese origins worldwide.

Answer 2

The word "chow" comes from the Cantonese word "chāu" (吃), which means "to eat." It was brought to the English language through Chinese immigrants in the 19th century.