ma-foo

Chinese Pidgin English

Etymology

Borrowed from Cantonese 馬伕／马伕 (maa5 fu1).

Noun

ma-foo

1. groom (person who cares for horses)
2. coachman

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 106: “Ma-foo: groom; horseboy; coachman. “Talkee mafoo come this-side chop-chop.” Tell the groom to hurry here.”