Chinese

edit
phonetic
trad. (茄山河)
simp. #(茄山河)
alternative forms

Etymology

edit

Possibly borrowed from English gossip, according to a common folk etymology which certain linguists concur with.

Alternatively, a native word: (2ga, “to prattle”) is found in various parts of suburban Shanghai, such as Zhenru and Xinzhuang. This meaning can be assumed to be have come from clipping from compounds such as 茄嘴皮.

The 山河 part then may be a term referring to an unspecified topic, cf. 談天說地谈天说地 (tántiānshuōdì) or 聊天 (liáotiān).

Pronunciation

edit

Verb

edit

茄山河

  1. (Shanghainese) to chat

Synonyms

edit
  • (especially Suburban Shanghainese) 茄河