pidgin
noun /ˈpɪdʒɪn/
/ˈpɪdʒɪn/
[uncountable]- a simple form of a language, especially English, Portuguese or Dutch, with a limited number of words, that are used together with words from a local language. It is used when people who do not speak the same language need to talk to each other.
- Pidgin(also Tok Pisin)a Creole language based on English, used in Papua New Guinea
- pidgin English, French, Japanese, etc. a way of speaking a language that uses simple words and forms, used when a person does not speak the language well, or when he or she is talking to somebody who does not speak the language well
- I tried to get my message across in my pidgin Italian.
Word Originlate 19th cent.: Chinese alteration of English business.