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Honcho: meaning, definitions and examples

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honcho

 

[ หˆhษ’n.tสƒoสŠ ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

informal usage

The term "honcho" is used to refer to a person who is in charge or holds a position of authority, often in a casual or colloquial context. It comes from the Japanese word "hancho," which means 'squad leader' or 'group leader.' In American English, it has evolved to represent someone who is the boss or leader in a particular situation, especially in corporate or team settings. It's commonly used in business environments to denote someone who makes significant decisions or commands a group.

Synonyms

boss, chief, director, head, leader

Examples of usage

  • The honcho of the project made the final call.
  • She is the honcho here, so you should consult her.
  • Meet the new marketing honcho.
  • The honcho will address the team this afternoon.

Translations

Translations of the word "honcho" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น chefe

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฎเฅเค–เคฟเคฏเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Chef

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ bos

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะณะปะฐะฒะฐ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ szef

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใƒœใ‚น

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท chef

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ jefe

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท ลŸef

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋ณด์Šค

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฑุฆูŠุณ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ลกรฉf

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ ลกรฉf

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅคด็›ฎ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ ลกef

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ yfirma

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฑะฐััˆั‹

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ›แƒ—แƒแƒ•แƒแƒ แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ลŸef

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ jefe

Etymology

The word 'honcho' originates from the Japanese word 'hancho', which literally translates to 'squad leader' or 'group leader.' This term made its way into American English during World War II, likely due to the presence of Japanese language among American soldiers and linguistic exchanges. Initially adopted in military contexts, it gradually transitioned into more general usage, particularly in corporate environments, reflecting a shift towards informal language. By the latter half of the 20th century, 'honcho' had firmly established itself as a colloquial term to describe a person in charge, encompassing various situations, from workplaces to social settings. Its informal nature has allowed it to thrive in American slang, often used with a sense of friendliness or camaraderie, making it a popular choice in both professional and casual conversations.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,837, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.