Chinese Hottentot, noun phrase

Plurals:
Chinese Hottentots, or unchanged.
Origin:
See Chinese + Hottentot.
obs. except in historical contexts
Usually in the plural : A name given to certain Khoisan peoples (particularly the Nama); Chinese.
1790 tr. of F. Le Vaillant’s Trav. II. 346In some cantons they are called Chinese Hottentot. Chinese Hottentots, because their colour approaches near to that of the Chinese found at the Cape.
1847 J. Barrow Autobiog. Memoir 174The flat nose, high cheek-bones, prominent chin and concave visage, partake much of the apish character, which their keen eye, always in motion, does not tend to diminish. The upper lid of this organ..is rounded into the lower on the side next the nose. They are known..by the name of Chinese Hottentots.
1914 C. Pettman Notes on S. Afr. Place Names 17The Sneeze Flats, to the north of the Fish River..were at one time occupied by a tribe of Bushmen or Hottentots whose bright yellow complexions so resembled those of the Chinese seen at the Cape that the Voortrekkers..designated them Sinese (or Chinese) Hottentots.
1946 L.G. Green So Few Are Free 145The Namaquas, known to the early Dutch settlers as the ‘Chinese hottentots’..have yellowish complexions and narrow eyes.
Usually in the plural :A name given to certain Khoisan peoples (particularly the Nama); Chinese.
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Chinese, nounn.Chinese lantern, noun phrasen. phr.
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