chee chee

chee chee · noun¹

1. Spanish · derived fromchichi
2. English todaychee chee

Probably from Spanish chichi

chee chee · noun²

Hobson-Jobson (see References) stated that the word is "said to be taken from chi (fie!), a common native (South Indian) interjection of remonstrance or reproof, supposed to be much used by the class in question. The term is, however, perhaps also a kind of onomatopoeia, indicating the mincing pronunciation which often characterises them." Hotten stated in his 1870 Slang Dictionary "it takes its origin from a very common expression of these half-caste females, "CHEE-CHEE," equivalent to our "Oh, fie! - Nonsense! - For shame!" Merriam-Webster (see References) states "probably from Hindi chī-chī fie!, literally, dirt".