Fa-lan-sai

Chinese Pidgin English

Etymology

Derived from French français, perhaps via Cantonese 法蘭西／法兰西 (faat³ laan⁴ sai¹, faat³ laan^4-1 sai¹).

Adjective

Fa-lan-sai

1. French
   • 1906, Herbert Strang, Brown of Moukden: A story of the Russo-Japanese War (in English), New York and London: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, page 37:

     “No wantchee Fa-lan-sai man he dollar,” he said.

Derived terms

• Fa-lan-sai-side

References

• Gow, W. S. P. (1924) Gow’s Guide to Shanghai, 1924: A Complete, Concise and Accurate Handbook of the City and District, Especially Compiled for the Use of Tourists and Commercial Visitors to the Far East, Shanghai, page 105: “Fa-lan-sai: French; Francais. “fa-Ian-sai-side”^[sic]; the French Concession, Shanghai.”