E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Pigeon-English or Pigeon-talk.
A corruption of business-talk. Thus: business, bidginess, bidgin, pidgin, pigeon. A mixture of English, Portuguese, and Chinese, used in business transactions in “The Flowery Empire.”
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“The traders care nothing for the Chinese language, and are content to carry on their business transactions in a hideous jargon called “pigeon English.”—The Times.
