More lo fan(s) (1948)

[Benjamin Barrett]

On April 2, 2005, I noted (http://ow.ly/66ZEU) that the OED does not list "lo fan." It still does not.

Lisa See uses the term in three novels starting in 1995: "On Gold Mountain," "Shanghai Girls," and "Dreams of Joy: A Novel" (http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&q=%22lo+fan%22+%22lisa+see%22).

Earlier citations:

1. 1948 - lo fan

"New York: confidential!" by Jack Lait, Lee Mortimer, Ziff-Davis Pub. Co., page 86 (http://ow.ly/66ZlJ)

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The Chinese call us "white devils," _lo fan_ or or _fan guey_,…
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2. 1981 - lo fans

"The ethnic dilemma in social services" by Shirley Jenkins, Free Press, page 116 (http://ow.ly/66Zuk)

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…think of the future. _Lo-fans_ think only of the present."
        …Many Indians do receive one or another form of welfare, and many _lo-fans_ also are concerned about the future.
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3. 1981 - a lo fan

Same book

page 113 (http://ow.ly/66Zwa)
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A Chinese mother said, "I'd rather have a _lo-fan_ who loves children than a Chinese who doesn't."
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Benjamin Barrett
Seattle, WA

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