Etymology

Pinkerton syndrome

Pink·er·ton syn·drome

Today it means: The tendency of some Asians to regard Caucasians as superior or more desirable, especially where marriage or relationships are concerned. Full definition →

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Pinkerton syndrome · proper noun1

In reference to the character Lieutenant B. F. Pinkerton in the opera Madama Butterfly (first performed in 1904) by Italian composer Giacomo Puccini (1858–1924).

Pinkerton syndrome · proper noun2

Named after Scottish antiquarian, author and historian John Pinkerton (1758–1826), coined by J. Derrick McClure: see 1985 quotation.

First known use, by meaning

  • from 1985. Having esteem for older Scottish literature but not the modern Scottish tongue.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.