mafoo

English

Etymology

From Mandarin 馬伕 / 马伕 (mǎfū), from 馬 / 马 (mǎ, “horse”) + 伕 (fū, “servant, labourer”). (Can this(+) etymology be sourced?)

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈmɑːfuː/

Noun

mafoo (plural mafoos)

  1. In China, someone who looks after horses in a stable; a groom. [from 19th c.]
    • 1977, John Le Carré, The Honourable Schoolboy, Folio Society, published 2010, page 144:
      The mafoos held their charges miserably, as if sick with nerves.

Translations

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