Dictionary — ontologydriven

cha en · NOUN · etymology 1

Pronunciation

(Southern-England) audio
/t͡ʃɑː/

Etymology

From Chinese 茶 (chá), from Proto-Sino-Tibetan *s-la, via two routes: in some cases from Hindustani चा (cā) / چا (cā) (a variant of the same root, from Persian چا, which led to chai), from Northern Chinese; in other cases from 茶 (chá) /t͡sʰɑː²¹/, the pronunciation found in Canton (Guangzhou), where the British bought much of their tea in the 19th century. Doublet of tea, which is from the Amoy Min Nan pronunciation tê.

Meanings

(uncountable) Tea, (sometimes dialect) specifically masala chai.
- Would you like a cup of cha?
- [Krazy Kat, bringing a full tray:] Look, folkses – hot dogs, hot cha, hot peppa pots, hot timollies – hot kuffy. ^([sic]) 1934 August 4, George Herriman, Krazy Kat, Saturday, comic strip, →ISBN, page 206:

Forms

Spelling	Labels	Source
cia	alternative, obsolete	lexicographic
char	UK, alternative	lexicographic
chaw	alternative, obsolete	lexicographic

Deriveds

chasericulture

cha en · PRON · etymology 2

Pronunciation

/t͡ʃʌ/
(Southern-England) audio

Meanings

(alt-of, dialectal, nonstandard, pronunciation-spelling) Pronunciation spelling of you, especially when preceded by a /t/ sound.
alt of you
- “You'll be ridin' with us, won't cha, Josh?” 2008, Barbara L. Jent, The Weddin' Day, Barbara Jent, →ISBN, page 157:
- You mean you can't fly after you've had a few beers? You can drive, can't cha? 1976, Flying Magazine, page 34:
- Don't cha wish your girlfriend was a freak like me? 2005, Busta Rhymes, CeeLo Green, “Don't Cha”, performed by Pussycat Dolls: