good wind, good water

Chinese Pidgin English

FWOTD – 18 July 2020

Etymology

Calque of Chinese 順風順水／顺风顺水 (shùnfēngshùnshuǐ).

Interjection

good wind, good water

1. bon voyage
   • 1889 November, Thomas W. Knox, “The Talking Handkerchief”, in Harper’s New Monthly Magazine, volume LXXIX, number CCCCLXXIV (in English), New York: Harper & Brothers, publishers, page 937:

     The compradore had accompanied us, and as soon as I was safe on board he cast off the line that held the sampan to the side of the junk, and with a wave of his hand in the direction of Hong-Kong, ejaculated, “Good wind! good water!”—the pidjin-English equivalent of “Bon voyage!” or “Good-luck to you!”

References

• Gow, W. S. P. (1924) Gow’s Guide to Shanghai, 1924: A Complete, Concise and Accurate Handbook of the City and District, Especially Compiled for the Use of Tourists and Commercial Visitors to the Far East, Shanghai, page 105: “Good wind: Good water: a farewell wish to a friend starting on a voyage.”